The Charles Brabin papers span the years 1904-1940 and encompass 1.1 linear feet. The collection consists primarily of script material for BLIND WIVES (1920), CALL OF THE FLESH (1930), DRIVEN (1923), FOOTFALLS (1921), FRAMED (1927), LA BELLE RUSSE (1919), THE LIGHTS OF NEW YORK (1922), and TWINKLETOES (1926). Brabin's script notes for DRIVEN are of interest. An undated scrapbook contains production design material, including unidentified set stills along with clippings and photographs apparently used for set reference by Brabin. Other items include Brabin's 1913 diary entries documenting preparation and filming in England, Wales, and Belgium for various Edison films, among them INTERLUDE (1913), ANTIQUE BROOCH (1913), and NECKLACE OF RAMESES (1914); critiques (not by Brabin) of several 1913 Edison films; and the poem "A Woman There Was" by Charles W. McCabe, inscribed to Theda Bara. There is no other material on Theda Bara.

Charles J. Brabin (1882-1957) was born in Liverpool, England, and educated at St. Francis Xavier College. He came to New York in the early 1900s and, while holding down odd jobs, tried his hand as a stage actor. Brabin joined the Edison Company around 1908, acting first and then directing. He later directed for Essanay, Vitagraph, Metro, Fox, First National, and MGM. Brabin directed Theda Bara in KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN (1919) and LA BELLE RUSSE (1919), and the two were married in 1921. DRIVEN (1923), STELLA MARIS (1925), and THE MASK OF FU MANCHU (1932) were among the films directed and occasionally scripted by Brabin. His last film was A WICKED WOMAN (1934). Brabin retired in the mid-1930s.