Letters to Joan Crawford 1972-1976

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Letters to Joan Crawford 1972-1976

http://archives.nypl.org/the/21606

Joan Crawford was a film star whose career spanned five decades, from silent films onward, and who worked in many genres including drama, musicals, comedy, Westerns, and horror films, and who appeared on television as well. While there is some question as to the year of her birth, the actress who became known as Joan Crawford was unquestionably born under the name Lucille Le Sueur in San Antonio, Texas. Entering films in 1925, Lucille was signed by MGM Studios where her name was changed. Her films include OUR DANCING DAUGHTERS (1928), RAIN (1932), GRAND HOTEL (1932), DANCING LADY (1933) with Clark Gable and Fred Astaire, and THE WOMEN (1939). A mid-career switch to Warner Brothers brought Crawford a Best Actress Academy Award for MILDRED PIERCE in 1945. Later roles brought diminishing returns, until a comeback performance in WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? in 1962 led to a series of horror films. When Joan Crawford died in 1977 her age was given as 69, but she may have been in her early to mid 70s. Consists of four letters written to Joan Crawford. Two letters are from costume designer Edith Head, thanking Joan for Christmas presents. One undated letter from actress Billie Burke congratulates Joan on an unspecified honor, perhaps her MILDRED PIERCE Oscar. A 1972 letter from Nancy Reagan thanks Joan for flowers, and expresses regret they couldn't meet.

(1 portfolio, 4 letters)

The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.

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SNAC Resource ID: 6317857

Related Entities

There are 4 Entities related to this resource.

Burke, Billie, 1885-1970

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6dn4mhs (person)

American actress of stage and screen. From the description of Billie Burke collection, 1910-1957. (Boston University). WorldCat record id: 70965264 Florenz "Flo" Ziegfeld was a theatrical impressario who perfected a form of the musical comedy revue, the Follies, regarded as the pinnacle of the field, while he himself became a legendary figure, making and losing several fortunes, and marrying two of his biggest stars, Anna Held and Billie Burke. Born ...

Crawford, Joan, 1908-1977

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6fx7qvq (person)

Joan Crawford, actress. From the description of Joan Crawford scrapbooks, 1925-1960, microform. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122517687 From the guide to the Joan Crawford scrapbooks, [microform.], 1925-1960, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.) Joan Crawford was a film star whose career spanned five decades, from silent films onward, and who worked in many genres including drama, musicals, comedy, Westerns, and horror films, ...

Reagan, Nancy, 1921-2016

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6d61b04 (person)

Originally a Broadway actress, Nancy Davis Reagan served as First Lady from 1981 to 1989. She served alongside her husband, President Ronald Reagan, and is remembered for her passionate advocacy for decreasing drug and alcohol abuse. “My life really began when I married my husband,” says Nancy Reagan, who in the 1950’s happily gave up an acting career for a permanent role as the wife of Ronald Reagan and mother to their children. Her story actually begins in New York City, her birthplace. She...

Head, Edith

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65m68qk (person)

Edith Head was a hollywood costume designer. From the description of Ten Commandments costume continuity book, 1954-4956. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 367827687 According to the donor, the sketches are executed by various studio artists, following the design ideas of Edith Head, and approved by Head. From the description of Design illustrations for Western films [graphic]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 81150916 ...