RODGERS, RICHARD
Letter signed to Celeste Holm regarding future roles, 1948. New York: 5 April 1948. One page typed letter signed "Dick" on one page of Rodgers' personal stationery, 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches, fine.

Rodgers here writes to Celeste Holm using his off-color nickname for her of "Chesty" noting: "I write within an hour of the arrival of your letter for the sweet way in which you managed to say 'no'. Believe me, Toots, we understand what you have in mind. Your career is actually just beginning and I know these things have to be planned like a war. If 'Annie' isn't a logical part of the campaign, it should be discarded without a second thought."

While Rodgers and Hammerstein did not write Annie Get Your Gun, by 1948 they had begun producing the theatrical ventures of others. The Annie Get Your Gun was meant to be written by composer Jerome Kern but he unfortunately died before completing the work. The songs were finished by Irving Berlin and included "There's No Business Like Show Business", the song that became a staple for star Ethel Merman. In this letter, Rodgers is referring to the departure of Mary Martin on the tour of Annie Get Your Gun, and seeks his now quite established Oklahoma! star to fill the role.