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Terry Mason's Family History Site55,914 names. Major lines: Allen, Beck, Borden, Buck, Burden, Carpenter, Carper, Cobb, Cook, Cornell, Cowan, Daffron, Davis, Downing, Faubion, Fauntleroy, Fenter, Fishback, Foulks, Gray, Harris, Heimbach, Henn, Holland, Holtzclaw, Jackson, Jameson, Johnson, Jones, King, Lewis, Mason, Massengill, McAnnally, Moore, Morgan, Overstreet, Price, Peck, Rice, Richardson, Rogers, Samuel, Smith, Taylor, Thomas, Wade, Warren, Weeks, Webb, Wodell, Yeiser. |
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Red note book of Catharine F.B.Mason lists family.
Was a railroad auditor, had beautiful handwriting and traveled extensively.
Elizabeth (Betty) Downing Mason
Family history & bible in poss. of T. Mason.
OCCUPATION: In 1946 was a computer operator in San Francisco.
Listed as father of Lorraine on her death certificate.
Elizabeth (Betty) Downing Mason
Family history & bible in poss. of T. Mason.
OCCUPATION: In 1946 was a computer operator in San Francisco.
REFERENCE: Family history by Catharine F. Mason; ; ; ; NOTE: divorced Elizabeth in 1936. Jack Peterson indicated his mother and step-father separated in 1935 and divorced in 1940.
REF: 920.07;W628;v17 Who's Who in America 1932-33 by A.N.Marquis Co,Chicago, p 1827...
Peterson, K. Barry; Lawyer. b. Alamo, Ind 24 July 1891 s. Charles Arthur (M.D.) and Hannah N. Duckworth Peterson; A.B. Okla Univ. 1913; LLB Ariz. Univ 1920. M. Elizabeth Downing Mason of Tucson, Ariz. 15 Sep 1923; admitted to Okla bar 1915, and began practice at Tahlequah. Admitted to Arizona Bar 1921. County Attny, Pima, Az 1922-27; Attny Gen Az 1929-33. Served as 1st Lt. Cav. USA 1917-19. Unsuccessful cantidate AZ governor in 1932. Following this was some drinking, some disloyalty and his subsequent divorce. 1st Lt.Gov USA 1917-19. Member of: Disabled Veterans, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Phi Alpha Delta, Democrat, Presbyterian, Odd Fellow, Elk.Information sent to T.Mason on 27 Mar 2002 by John J. Mathews [math@bendcable.com]. "In 1933, as K. Berry Peterson finished his term as Arizona Attorney General, he became Assistant US Attorney for Arizona under my father, Clifton Mathews. I don't know what happened to Peterson when my father went on the Ninth US Court of Appeals bench in 1935."
Elizabeth (Betty) Downing Mason
Family history & bible in poss. of T. Mason.
OCCUPATION: In 1946 was a computer operator in San Francisco.
BIOGRAPHY: From [HYPERLINK http://us.imdb.com/Bio?Heerman,+Victor ] by John Koenig. EXTRACT: He was one of four brothers. His mother was a theatrical costumer. His father abandoned the family. His mother moved the family to New York around the turn of the century to take a job as David Belasco's head costumer. Heerman moved to Los Angeles in 1911 to get into the movie business. He worked for Mack Sennett, among others, writing and directing two-reelers. While working for Douglas Fairbanks on a location shoot in Arizona on the film entitled "Arizona" (1918), he met Sarah Y. Mason, one of eleven children of a railroad employee. Mason wanted to join the production as an actress, but although quite beautiful, she couldn't act -- even though this was in the silent era. She did come to Hollywood as a kind of script girl - production assistant and parlayed that into a career as a writer with some 34 major film credits in a career that spanned over 20 years, working with some of the major figures in the motion picture business. Heerman and Mason were soon married and had two children, Catherine (born 2/5/22) (God parents Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks) and Victor Heerman, Jr. Heerman and Mason worked as a writing team (i.e., Oscar for best screenplay adaptation for "Little Women" in 1933. Heerman was also active as a director (i.e., "Animal Crackers").
DEATH: In a retirement and nursing facility for people who have worked in the motion picture industry.
Family History & Bible in poss. of T. Mason. Personal correspondence with T. Mason. Daughter, Catharine Anliss contacted Emma D. (Mason) Lindesmith of Sarah's death. Emma called J.M. Mason who told T. Mason in December 1980. In 1973, Frank Wilson was told that Sarah was a motion picture scriptwriter. The NY Times Index indicates she was given an Oscar in 1933 for an "Adaptation of Little Women."
As recalled from her brother John Mets, "Sarah worked at M.G.M. studios. Her husband, Victor Heerman, Sr., did direct the Marx Brothers' second feature film, "Animal Crackers", but that was based on their broadway show of the same name and was written by S. J. Perelman, Morrie Ryskind, and others. She wrote several pictures for Irene, Katharine Hepburn, and Ronald Colman. Doug Fairbanks Sr. was a next door neighbor of Victor and Sarah and I got to meet him - my first hero."
The Arizona Daily Star -- "Doug Fairbanks Aids Tucson Girl to Gain Fame in Movies"
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If you were very young and very beautiful and were constantly dreaming dreams, yet in reality were everlastingly pushing back and forth the carriage of a typewriter, and suddenly Douglas Fairbanks walked right into the midst of your dream, laying before you the splendors, of a new world, wouldn't you be sort of dazed? Well that is just what happened to Sarah Y. Mason and this is the story:
It is against all laws of fiction to have the denouement of a story at the beginning, but this isn't fiction though the story of Sarah Mason is more enchanting than fiction, for it is of a girl who dreamed dreams and kept an ideal ever before her and at last realized the dream.
"The, Broadway Melody" that is to open at the Rialto theater Tuesday will be a genuine treat for Tucsonians, and their pleasure and delight will be intensified when it is known that Sarah Y. Mason wrote the scenario for it, arranging and adapting the story to the screen. It is a story of Broadway theatrical life, its heartbreaks, its romance, its joy, replete with human interest and understanding. Not a little of the tremendous success of this Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's sall talking, singing and dancing sensation is attributed to the pen of Sarah Mason - critics have given a great portion of the honors to her.Beginning of Career
To go back, now and gather up the threads that lead to the denouement is interesting. "When Dreams Come True," was the tuneful musical comedy that played in Tucson some few years ago, just at the time Douglas Fairbanks was finishing the last scenes of "Headin' South." He, weary after a hard day "shooting" scenes out on the desert chose the musical comedy for relaxation, while Sarah Mason, equally weary, from her day's task, likewise chose the same diversion. For Fairbanks the evening brought the discovery of a wonderful type of girl, a type he had been seeking for many months. For Sarah Mason that evening meant the beginning off a career.
In his efforts to locate the girl who had attracted him by her almost startling beauty, Fairbanks caused a perfect whirlwind in Tucson the day following. "When Dreams Come True." Even the filming of the last scenes of "Headin' South" were held in abeyance while Fairbanks continued to search for her. He did not know her name but he was able to describe her perfectly. Finally she was discovered in the offices of Albert Steinfeld & Co. She was busily transcribing letters while all the while the lilting sweetness of the songs of "When Dreams Come True" trailed through here memory.On Silver Screen
No one was more surprised than she when a messenger brought her word that Fairbanks wished to confer with her. So long had it taken Fairbanks to find her that it was past noontime when the conference took place. The result is well known. She was engaged to go to Los Angeles with the Fairbanks company, the dominant idea being, that she was to be trained in the art of the silent drama. She left that very night with the Fairbanks company and became the envy and delight of her hosts of friends with whom she had grown up while attending the Tucson schools, later graduating from the Tucson high school.
While in the Fairbanks studio she early grasped the most striking details of the underlying technique of the silent drama, and having always had an ambition to write, it appealed to her far more their becoming a movie star. All the dreams and ambitions of her years spent down on the desert were wafted back to her, for she saw the chance to make them live and breathe on the silver sheet.
Having gained the entree to the most exclusive circles in movie land, Sarah Mason moved in a world of romance. Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, Marjorie Daw, Nazimova, May Allison, ZaSu Pitts and many other stars became every day acquaintances. She made her home at the Studio club in Hollywood, and as the days wore on into months she became a personality in the group of fascinating men and women who make up one of the greatest communities in the world.On Ince Staff
Having decided to go in for writing scenarios, no labor was too great, no care too unremitting, no perseverance too exacting. She never wavered, but even in the face of countless disappointments and discouragements kept steadily on. Two years were spent in mastering the details of the technique of continuity writing. After leaving the Fairbanks' studio she spent a short period in the Peralta studios, leaving there to become one of the staff in preparing work for King Vidor. Later on she obtained and enviable position on the staff of the Thomas Ince studios, where some of the greatest writers for the screen have had their opportunity.
At the Brentwood studio. Sarah Mason spent several months and here was the beginning of a delightful acquaintance with ZaSu Pitts, one of the most novel and whimsical actresses of the screen. Both at this time were practically at the "brook and river meet" period of their careers and both were living at the Studio club. After Sarah Mason had completed the script for "Bright Skies" she became to ZaSu her most favorite continuity writer, and it was then that she conceived the idea of writing an original story especially for ZaSu. The idea grew and ripened and the result was the refreshing story of "The Heart of, Twenty" for which she also wrote the screen adaptation.Signs Contract
"The Heart of Twenty" was the first dream to come true. The script attracted considerable attention among producers and directors. Upon completion of the Brentwood contract Sarah Mason accepted a position on the staff of Metro, writing scenarios for May Allison. Step by step her reputation was growing in the cinema world and she was taking her place in the golden inner circle of successful scenario writers and of the very few who are able to write continuity, one of the most difficult arts of the profession.
While completing the script of "Held in Trust," which Miss Mason adapted to the screen from the story of George Kibbe Turner, starring May Allison, Louis Selenic of the Selenic Pictures corporation, was in Los Angeles. In New York he had heard of Sarah Mason's work and from what he had been able to learn he knew her talent glinted promise. He had a conference with her, the culmination of which was the signing of a six-month contract to write continuity exclusively for Owen Moore, one of the stars of the Selenic corporation.
The signing of the contract with Selenic meant New York, the dream and goal of all writers and actresses. Still moving in a world of dreams, Sarah Mason journeyed eastward in company with other notables of the cinema world. Months of unremitting labor were the toll, but in reality the scenarios of "The Poor Simp," and "The Chicken in the Case," featuring Owen Moore brought thousands of laughs to countless thousands of people who witnessed these wonderful comedies. In the fall of the year her contract with Selenic was renewed and other scripts followed for Owen Moore and Elaine Hammerstein, each bearing the distinguishing touch of her writing.Writing Constantly
Romance was there too for the director for Owen Moore was none other than Victor Heerman and in the spring following her New York sojourn Sarah Mason and Victor Heerman were married in Los Angeles at the Church of the Angels.
The years following have been replete with happiness and in shaping the beginnings of her two beautiful children's lives. Catherine Heerman is seven years old and promises to be as beautiful as her mother, while Victor Heerman Jr., is a sturdy little lad of three. Their home in Los Angeles is one of the most charming places imaginable. A lovely rambling house surrounded by a great garden where the children play all through the sunny days.
In the past two years Sarah Mason has been writing constantly for the screen and is under contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's. Just a short while before The Broadway Melody scrip she completed Jimmy Valentine, which like The Broadway Melody had its premiere at the Astor theater in New York.
Sarah Mason had a great opportunity presented to her when Douglas Fairbanks discovered her, but her tremendous success has been achieved out of an accumulation of dreams which were realized by intense work, unremitting labor and an indominable perseverance. Today she holds the enviable position of being one of the greatest scenario writers in the profession; and The Broadway Melody had done much to open the glory of her career.
---------------------------------------------------------------------LETTER: from nephew, Richard Leeson; ; ; in poss of T. Mason; EXTRACT: "Besides winning an academy award, she in collaboration with Uncle Victor and others, wrote original scenarios and adaptations on many popular movies of her time, such as "Stella Dallas" with Barbara Stanwyck, original script for "Little House Across the Bay" with George Raft, Alcotts "Little Men", "Little Women" plus many more. Aunt Sarah did several scenarios for Kathrine Hepburn's movies. By the way, I used to play chess with Aunt Sarah. I never won." Sometime about 1992, grandson John Koenig corresponded with Katherine Hepburn who was effusive in her praise of Victor, Sarah and their work.
BIOGRAPHY: From [HYPERLINK http://us.imdb.com/Name?Mason,+Sarah+Y ]
Writer - filmography (1950s) (1940s) (1930s) (1920s) (1910s)
1.Magnificent Obsession (1954) (earlier script)
2.Little Women (1949)
3.A Girl, a Guy, and a Gob, A (1941) (additional dialogue) (uncredited)
... aka Navy Steps Out, The (1941) (UK)
4.Golden Boy (1939)
5.Stella Dallas (1937)
6.Magnificent Obsession (1935)
7.Break of Hearts (1935)
8.Little Minister, The (1934)
9.Imitation of Life (1934) (uncredited)
10.Age of Innocence, The (1934)
11.Little Women (1933)
12.Chance at Heaven (1933)
13.Age of Consent, The (1932)
14.Shopworn (1932) (story)
15.Man in Possession, The (1931)
16.Girl Said No, The (1930)
17.Love in the Rough (1930)
18.They Learned About Women (1930)
19.Broadway Melody, The (1929) (continuity)
20.Alias Jimmy Valentine (1928)
21.Cradle Snatchers, The (1927)
22.Backstage (1927) (story)
23.One Hour of Love (1927)
24.Fools of Fashion (1926)
25.Modern Matrimony (1923)
26.Girl From Nowhere, The (1921)
27.Divorce of Convenience, A (1921)
28.Chicken in the Case, The (1921)
29.Leap Year (1921) (story)
... aka Skirt Shy (1921)
30.Poor Simp, The (1920) (scenario)
31.Held In Trust (1920)
32.Heart of Twenty (1920)
33.Bright Skies (1920)
34.Arizona (1918) (continuity)In 1934 shared winning an Academy Award "Oscar" in the Category of "Best Writing, Adaptation" for "Little Women" (1933) with her husband, Victor Heerman.
From Kate Mason Hoover: A "continuity" person is the person who makes sure films make sense. For example making sure no one had on a wrist watch in a scene of Roman soldiers or to make sure that the characters are dressed the same if the scene is the same day. Aunt Sarah was the first. Actually, she created the concept of continuity in films. Every movie today has a crew of people to keep an eye on the consistency of things in films. If you watch a movie or TV show and notice that the character had his hat on in one shot, but not in another, the continuity people have missed it. Anyway, Aunt Sarah is in the Guinness Book of Movie records for this achievement!
Marriage Notes for Victor Eugene Heerman and Sarah Yeiser Mason-11
MARRIAGE: Bk 382-p.253 Los Angeles County Marriage Records.
Family History by Catharine F.B. Mason & Family bible in poss. of T. Mason.
Floe Vague, Lou's second wife was very kind and always talked about how "nuts" the Masons were. Lou died on the freeway while driving Floe to the hospital. John tells of Lou becoming educated by 'memorizing' an unabridged dictionary.
OCCUPATION: Lou by profession was an accountant and auditor. Was said to have been very argumentative.
In 1989, T. Mason reported that Lou served in the US Army in WW I. However, am unable to substantiate this claim.
Family History by Catharine F.B. Mason & Family bible in poss. of T. Mason.
Floe Vague, Lou's second wife was very kind and always talked about how "nuts" the Masons were. Lou died on the freeway while driving Floe to the hospital. John tells of Lou becoming educated by 'memorizing' an unabridged dictionary.
OCCUPATION: Lou by profession was an accountant and auditor. Was said to have been very argumentative.
In 1989, T. Mason reported that Lou served in the US Army in WW I. However, am unable to substantiate this claim.
Family bible & history in poss. of T. Mason
BIOGRAPHY: Interview with T. Mason, 1967; ; ; NOTES: Catharine went to Washington,D.C. after graduating from high school. Worked in civil service dept. Her 1st husband was a book binder in library in D.C. When she left him, she came back to Tucson. While Catharine was working she had left her baby with a woman to take care of her. The baby died of what the doctors determined was spinal meningites. She next worked for attorney as court reporter & stenographer. Joined WAC's and in exam found had Sitis Inversus (condition where all body organs are on the on opposite side of the body). Served in WWII 1943-1947. Was in Paris from 1945-47. After she left the WAC's she worked as secretary for Lennon Lights. Her 2nd husband was a salesman & later wrote columns for newspapers about the card game of bridge.
Name, birthplace and "death age is about two years" given by Catharine FB Mason in bibliographic info. - file RA Mason
Kay divorced Catharine in October 1943. Catharine told T.Mason this in 1964.
Family bible & history in poss. of T. Mason
BIOGRAPHY: Interview with T. Mason, 1967; ; ; NOTES: Catharine went to Washington,D.C. after graduating from high school. Worked in civil service dept. Her 1st husband was a book binder in library in D.C. When she left him, she came back to Tucson. While Catharine was working she had left her baby with a woman to take care of her. The baby died of what the doctors determined was spinal meningites. She next worked for attorney as court reporter & stenographer. Joined WAC's and in exam found had Sitis Inversus (condition where all body organs are on the on opposite side of the body). Served in WWII 1943-1947. Was in Paris from 1945-47. After she left the WAC's she worked as secretary for Lennon Lights. Her 2nd husband was a salesman & later wrote columns for newspapers about the card game of bridge.
DEATH-OCCUPATION-MILITARY: Personal letter from his son to T. Mason; ; ; ; Note: Died of cancer. In 1919 was a partner for an auto agency in Ontario, Calif. Was real estate developer in Orange Co., CA. Owned a liquor store in 1972. Was in US Army in WW 1.
Family History by Catharine F.B. Mason & Family bible in poss. of T. Mason. Was Episcopal.
Family bible & history in poss of T.Mason. Divorced Nell Davis in 1939.
Philip later just separated, never divorced from Katharine Dumas.
Philip was a sailor in his young adulthood and lived in Russia for 5 years. He was later a book salesman and had a famous store for during the 1940s & 50s with Stanley Rose. He made some "Hollywood Ten" connections here.
See notes under Richard Lee Mason about Philip's name.
BIOGRAPHY: E-mail from Kate Mason Hoover to T.Mason 15 Jun 2001. EXTRACT: Recently, I got copies of dad's military discharge and found out he had won a Medal during WWII. He had been stationed in the Aluetians (sp?). He never talked about his time in war. I do know that Sarah has a copy of daddy's Communist Party card and his visa. He had said that he joined the party in the 20s because they would let him work with a camera and he wanted to learn. I do know he traveled all over Russia and Europe in the early 20s, working on ships and apparently escaping from Russia when things looked like civil war. I always wished I had had the nerve to ask him more about those years, but with Phil one just listened while he held court! I do have him on tape giving an interview to a writer about his political changes during his lifetime. Did you know that during the 1960s, daddy was the only registered Monarchist in the county of Los Angeles!! The Masons may have been a bit eccentric, but they were never dull! I also remember an actor friend of dad's (his name escapes me at the moment) telling me that dad taught him so much about the quality of gemstones that the actor got rich from dad's advice. Daddy chamged quite a bit after Jimmy died. He was a bit quieter and kinder. It was in those years that I drove him around to see family the most. I think he was feeling his own mortality and needed to mend a few fences.