Gray, Houston Albert (Tony) (June 18, 1913-November 26, 1989)
Dates
- Existence: June 18, 1913 - November 26, 1989
Biography
Houston A. (“Tony”) Gray was born in Kansas City, Kansas, on June 18, 1913. He attended Kansas City Kansas Community College, graduating in 1933, and went on to receive a BA in English Literature from the University of Kansas in 1935, as well as an MA in English Literature from Harvard in 1937. Serving in the Army during World War II, Gray produced a mimeographed news-sheet for the troops and directed theatrical productions in Belgium and France.
Moving back to New York City after the war, Gray found success as an editor and playwright. Among his works for the stage are New York Nativity Play and Noah and the Flood, which was an adaptation of an old English Mystery Play. He edited the magazine Photoplay for five years, and also worked as editor on Movie Play, Movie Spotlight, Movie Western, Silver Screen, and Screenland.
Gray returned to the Kansas City area in 1960, at which time he began operating Gray’s Tree Farm in Edwardsville, Kansas, which he would continue to do until his death. In 1984-85, a Houston Gray Film Series was presented at the KCKCC Performing Arts Center, including displays from his collection of movie memorabilia, which had been donated to the school in February 1984. He died on November 26, 1989 in Kansas City, Kansas, at the age of 76.
Source: Derived from Mary P. Fenlon’s Background Notes for the Houston Gray Collection at KCKCC, the entirety of which can be found in Box 1, Folder 1.