Biography: Helen Gahagan Douglas

Martha Allen, Helen Gahagan Douglas' cousin, shares memories of Helen and the rest of the family. She also touches upon some highlights of Helen's career as an actress and politician.

Leisa Bronson discusses her experiences in the Democratic Party and her contacts with Helen Gahagan Douglas. She talks about prominent political figures at the time, her involvement in planning and attending political conferences, and her involvement in campaigning.

Florence "Susie" Clifton discusses her relationship and memories of Helen Gahagan Douglas and Douglas' political career in California. Gahagan Douglas served in the House of Representatives from California from 1944 to 1950, before entering into an ill-fated election for Congressional senator versus Richard Nixon. Clifton speaks of California politics, Douglas' opera and acting careers, California electoral districts, African-Americans in the context of California politics, Douglas' campaign for the senate, and the sources of campaign funds. A politician herself, intensely involved with the Democratic party, Clifton speaks of the California State Central Committee, and Congress. Finally, she speaks of Helen Gahagan Douglas' associations with such well-known figures as her husband, actor Melvyn Douglas, Jimmy Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Harry S. Truman.

Eloise Cohen discusses the life and political history of Helen Gahagan Douglas.

Helen Gahagan Douglas was born in New York City in 1900. She grew up in a large, cultured family that valued education and attended Barnard for two years before leaving to pursue a singing and acting career. Gahagan Douglas performed in several Broadway plays and sang all over the world before marrying Melvyn Douglas in 1930. She continued singing and acting for some time but became involved in politics. Gahagan Douglas was elected Democratic National Committee woman from California and served in the U.S.A.. House of Representatives from 1944 to 1950. In 1950, she ran against Richard Nixon for the United States Senate and lost. After this, she withdrew from politics but remained a speaker and activist. In the interview she talks about these aspects of her life and also, her family and upbringing.

Philip Dunne, born in 1908, recalls his memories of and association with Helen Gahagan Douglas.

In this interview, Creekmont Fath discusses his associations with and memories of Helen Gahagan Douglas.

Walter Gahagan, Jr., Helen Gahagan Douglas' younger brother, shares his memories of his sister. He discusses growing up in Brooklyn, New York and Helen's interest in theater and opera. He touched upon some aspects of Helen's political career. He also talk about running the family construction business, and the reasons for its final dissolution.

Greenaway, born in 1929, describes California politics in the nineteen forties, nineteen fifties, and early nineteen sixties, including the operation of the California Democratic Committee, its candidates for local, statewide, and national offices, and the use of rumors of opponents' affiliation with the Communist Party ("red smear") for political gain.

In this interview, Sharon Lybeck discusses her memories of and association with Helen Gahagan Douglas.

Paul Meyers graduated with a bachelor of fine arts from New York University in 1938. He discusses his early acting experiences, the Broadway climate of the twenties and thirties, and the union-like activity of Equity in casting actors. He then speaks briefly about the acting of Helen Gahagan Douglas, her desire for more serious roles, and the scope of her acting notoriety.

In this interview, H.L. Mitchell recalls memories and associations with Helen Gahagan Douglas.

Claude Pepper, born 1900 and died 1989, discusses his association with Helen Gahagan Douglas, his thoughts about her, and his memories of her.

Esther Peterson, born in 1906, recalls her association with Helen Gahagan Douglas and her memories of Gahagan Douglas.

Alan Rivkin discusses Helen Gahagan Douglas and his association with and memories of her.

Anne Seymour, born 1909 and died 1988, recalls and discusses her relationship with Helen Gahagan Douglas in this interview. An actress herself, Seymour speaks of Douglas' acting and political careers.

In this interview, Elizabeth Snyder recalls and discusses her association and relationship with Helen Gahagan Douglas. In addition, she speaks of the life, career, and political history of Helen Gahagan Douglas.

Nan Stevens, secretary to Hollywood and Broadway stars, dedicated a considerable amount of her career to Helen Gahagan Douglas and Melvyn Douglas. In this interview, she discusses her relations with Carol Bruce and the Douglases, the Douglases' health and aging, their parenting skills, Melvyn Douglas' acting career, and his wife's singing career. In particular, Stevens discusses her personal relationship and recollections with the Douglases.

Esther van Waggoner Tufty, born 1896 and died 1986, talks briefly on the life and political history of Helen Gahagan Douglas.

Terrell Webb discusses the life and political history of Helen Gahagan Douglas.

Jacob Zeitlin was involved with Helen Gahagan Douglas's California political campaigns. he discusses her and his perceptions of her career. He also talks about campaign contributions and funding, communism and House Un-American Activities Committee, and Hollywood's influence on California politics.

Paul Ziffron, active in Democratic politics at both the national and state levels from the late nineteen thirties, discusses the political activities, platforms, and campaigns of Helen Gahagan Douglas. Ziffron speaks of how the Korean War, the communist scare, and her opponent in the California Senate election, Richard Nixon, and his reputed dirty politics. In addition, Ziffron recalls how and why Douglas rose to the political levels that she did, and his relations with her and other members of their group.