Scope and Content
This collection consists of scrapbooks, photographs, correspondence, theatrical ephemera and cuttings collected by and relating to the life and career of dancer and choreographer Jack Cole.
Administrative / Biographical History
Jack Cole began his career as a Denishawn dancer with Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn, and continued with Ted Shawn's All-Male Dancers. In 1932 he and another ex-Denishawn dancer, Alice Dudley, began dancing in clubs, including the Rainbow Room, Ciro's, and the Flamingo. He also appeared on stage in venues such as Radio City Music Hall.
He developed a highly personal and eclectic style, based on the techniques learned in his early training, but grafting on elements from Indian, Oriental, Carribean, Latin American, Spanish, and African-American dance. He was known for his unpredictability and originality, for example setting authentic Hindu dance movements to a contemporary jazz score.
From 1937 until 1968 he also worked on Broadway and in Hollywood as both dancer and choreographer. His choreography for Villa Lobos' Magdelena won him the Donaldson Award, and he had success on Broadway with Kismet, Something for the Boys, Jamaica, Man of La Mancha, and Alive and Kicking among others. Films included Kismet, Three for the Show and Gentlemen Marry Brunettes. It is, however, for his choreography for Marilyn Monroe that he will be popularly remembered; he worked with her on Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Bus Stop, Some Like It Hot, and Let's Make Love.
Jack Cole died in 1974.
Arrangement
This collection has been arranged into the following series:
- THM/106/1 - Scrapbooks
- THM/106/2 - Photographs
- THM/106/3 - Programmes and theatrical ephemera
- THM/106/4 - Correspondence
- THM/106/5 - Jack Cole dance cuttings
- THM/106/6 - General dance cuttings
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is available for consultation in the V&A Department of Theatre and Performance's Reading Room, which is located at Blythe House, 23 Blythe Rd, Olympia, London, W14 0QX. The Reading Room is open Tuesday to Friday between 10.15 am and 4.30 pm. Access to it is by appointment only. To request an appointment please email tmenquiries@vam.ac.uk or telephone 020 7942 2698.
Access to some of these files may be restricted. These are identified at file level.
Conditions Governing Use
Archival material may not be photocopied. Arrangements can be made to photograph material in the reading room using non-flash photography.
Appraisal Information
This collection was appraised in line with the collection management policy.
Acquisition Information
This collection was purchased by the V&A in 1979.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
Related Material
See also the core collections of the V&A Theatre and Performance Department. Material relating to Jack Cole may be found in the biographical files as well as the library collections.
Please ask for details.
Scrapbooks
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/1 |
| Dates of Creation | 1930s-1950s |
| Physical Description | 5 scrapbooks |
Scope and Content
This file consists of five large leather-bound scrapbooks. These contain review, feature and image cuttings, research images, personal and production photographs, correspondence and other personal ephemera collected and compiled by Jack Cole. In addition, many pages are decorated by Cole with pen and ink illustrations (in black and white as well as colour), and some pages feature image collages.
Scrapbook 1
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/1/1 |
| Dates of Creation | 1930s |
| Physical Description | 1 scrapbook |
Scope and Content
This scrapbook contains materials relating to the start of Cole's career as a dancer in the Denishawn Dance Compay of Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn. Materials include autographed production programmes and personal and production photographs as well as letters written to Cole from Shawn. Dated materials range from 1930 to 1938.
Scrapbook 2
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/1/2 |
| Dates of Creation | 1930s |
| Physical Description | 1 scrapbook |
Scope and Content
This scrapbook contains personal family photographs and a number of photographs of Cole with dancer Alice Dudley. Dated materials range from 193 to 1937, with some family photographs dated 1912 and 1913.
Scrapbook 3
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/1/3 |
| Dates of Creation | 1930s-1940s |
| Physical Description | 1 scrapbook |
Scope and Content
This scrapbook contains materials relating to performances in South America, including autographed items. Dated materials range from 1930 to 1941.
Scrapbook 4
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/1/4 |
| Dates of Creation | 1940s |
| Physical Description | 1 scrapbook |
Scope and Content
This scrapbook contains a paper and fabric collage, Florida holiday snaps and a number of photographic studies of the male body. Dated materials range from 1947 to 1949.
Scrapbook 5
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/1/5 |
| Dates of Creation | 1950s |
| Physical Description | 1 scrapbook |
Scope and Content
This scrapbook contains a magazine profile of Cole, photographic collages and a number of photographs of Cole with his dogs. Materials date from 1950.
Photographs
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2 |
| Dates of Creation | 1819 - 1950s |
| Physical Description | 3 folders |
Scope and Content
These files contain personal and career-related photographs collected by Cole. Folders of photographs relating to specific films also include review and feature cuttings. Dated materials range from the 1910s to the 1950s. Also included is a folder of general images for scrap-booking.
Family photographs
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/1 |
| Dates of Creation | c. 1819-1940s |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains sepia-tint photographs of Cole as a young boy and various family members. Two are annotated, none are dated.
Conditions Governing Access
This folder contains sensitive material, as some photographs contain nudity.
Personal photographs
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/2 |
| Dates of Creation | c. 1930s-1940s |
| Physical Description | 2 folders |
Scope and Content
These folders contain a collection of personal photographs, in colour and black and white, which includes; portraits of Cole, autographed portraits, images of Cole's home, pets and friends, dancer portraits, holiday snaps and a set of negatives. Some photographs are annotated and signed, most are unsigned. Dated materials range from 1931 to 1948.
Conditions Governing Access
This folder contains sensitive material, as some photographs contain nudity.
Film photographs
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/3 |
| Dates of Creation | 1940s - 1950s |
| Physical Description | 9 folders |
Scope and Content
These folders contain black and white production photographs relating to movies on which Cole either worked as main choreographer or appeared as a dancer with his dance troupe. The folders also contain review and feature cuttings from American newspapers and publications.
Moon Over Miami
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/3/1 |
| Dates of Creation | 1941 |
Scope and Content
This folder contains production photographs of Jack Cole and his dance troupe appearing in Moon Over Miami. One photograph has a review cutting pasted onto the reverse, 1941.
Administrative / Biographical History
Moon Over Miami was directed by Walter Lang in 1941 and starred Betty Grable and Don Ameche. Jack Cole and his dancers appeared in the dance-number scenes.
Meet Me After the Show
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/3/2 |
| Dates of Creation | 1951 |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains production photographs and cuttings relating to Meet Me After the Show. Some photographs are annotated. All photographs and cuttings date from 1951.
Administrative / Biographical History
Meet Me After The Show was directed by Richard Sale in 1951 and starred Betty Grable. Cole was the choreographer for this film.
On the Riviera
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/3/3 |
| Dates of Creation | 1951 |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains production photographs and cuttings relating to On the Riviera. One photograph is annotated. All photographs and cuttings date from 1951.
Administrative / Biographical History
On the Riviera was directed by Walter Lang in 1951 and starred Danny Kaye and Gene Tierney. Cole was the choreographer for this film.
David and Bathsheba
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/3/4 |
| Dates of Creation | 1952 |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains production photographs and cuttings relating to David and Bathsheba. All photographs and cuttings date from 1952.
Administrative / Biographical History
David and Bathsheba was directed by Henry King in 1951, and starred Gregory Peck and Susan Hayward. Cole was the choreographer for this film.
Three For the Show
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/3/5 |
| Dates of Creation | 1953 |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains production photographs and cuttings relating to Three For the Show. All photographs and cuttings date from 1953.
Administrative / Biographical History
Three For the Show was directed by H.C. Potter in 1953 and starred Betty Grable and Jack Lemmon. Cole was the choreographer for this film.
Gentlemen Marry Brunettes
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/3/6 |
| Dates of Creation | 1955 |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains one production photograph and cuttings relating to Gentlemen Marry Brunettes. The photograph and cuttings date from 1955.
Administrative / Biographical History
Gentlemen Marry Brunettes was directed by Richard Sale in 1955 and starred Jane Russell. Cole was the choreographer for this film.
Kismet
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/3/7 |
| Dates of Creation | 1955 |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains one production photograph and cuttings relating to Kismet. The photograph and cuttings date from 1955.
Administrative / Biographical History
Kismet was directed by Vincente Minnelli in 1955 and starred Ann Blyth and Howard Keel. Cole was the choreographer for this film.
Les Girls
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/3/8 |
| Dates of Creation | 1957 |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains one production programme and a cutting relating to Les Girls. The programme and cutting date from 1957.
Administrative / Biographical History
Kismet was directed by George Kukor in 1957 and starred Gene Kelly and Mitzi Gaynor. Cole was the choreographer for this film.
Assorted film productions
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/2/3/9 |
| Dates of Creation | 1950s |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains photographs and cuttings for a number of unidentified film productions, as well as review cuttings for The Merry Widow, Tonight and Every Night and The Farmer Takes a Wife. One of the photographs features Cole with the actress Jane Russell.
Programmes and theatrical ephemera
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/3 |
| Dates of Creation | 1930s-1960s |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains theatre programmes, playbills, ticket stubs and invitations.
Correspondence
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/4 |
| Dates of Creation | 1920s-1960s |
| Physical Description | 3 folders |
Scope and Content
These folders contain family, personal and work-related correspondence. Items include letters, telegrams and postcards.
Childhood letters
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/4/1 |
| Dates of Creation | 1910s-1920s |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains handwritten letters and postcards sent from school by a young Cole to his mother and family members. Letters date from the 1910s and 1920s. The folder also includes a school report-card (1921) and a programme for a school event (1928).
Personal correspondence
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/4/2 |
| Dates of Creation | 1930s - 1960s |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains letters, telegrams, greetings cards and postcards from friends, fans and acquaintances, including a card from Mitzi Gaynor. Dated materials range from 1931 to 1966. Many are undated.
Professional correspondence
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/4/3 |
| Dates of Creation | 1930s1960s |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains letters and telegrams relating to Cole's career and the world of dance, including letters from Daryl Zanuck. Dated materials range from 1930 to1966. Some materials are undated.
Jack Cole dance cuttings
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/5 |
| Dates of Creation | 1940s-1950s |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
Cuttings of reviews, profiles and features relating to the stage dance career of Jack Cole and his troupe of dancers. All cuttings are from American publications.
General dance cuttings
| Reference Number(s) | GB 71 THM/106/6 |
| Dates of Creation | 1970s |
| Physical Description | 1 folder |
Scope and Content
This folder contains review and feature cuttings realting to dance and the general American arts scene throughtout the 1970s. All cuttings are from American publications.
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