Vivienne was custom built for famous Hollywood screenwriter, Harvey Thew known for his Warner Brothers work “The Man from Blankley’s” and “The Mad Genius” starring John Barrymore, the classic gangster film “Public Enemy” starring James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson’s “Silver Dollar”. Harvey went on to write for MGM and Paramount. Vivienne Thew was a Ziegfeld Follies girl and great beauty. The vessel enjoys a rich Hollywood history.

Vivienne was built in 1930 by Stephens Bros of Stockton California – one of the premier yacht builders in the United States. The Stephens Brothers boatbuilding firm in Stockton operated from 1902 to 1987. Over the years the company became famous for its elegantly designed pleasure craft and their quality of construction, including sailboats, speedboats, cruisers and private yachts and the company was economically successful even during the Great Depression. Today, Stephens Bros boats are highly prized as “Collector Items”. Stephens Bros documents, photographs and original drawings are available to the public at the Haggin Museum in Stockton California.