ZANUCK, DARRYL F.
Letter to Celeste Holm regarding her role in Gentleman's Agreement, 1947. Beverly Hills: 6 May 1947. One page typed letter signed "Darryl Zanuck" on one sheet of Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation stationery. 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches. Faint folds, with a large bold signature of the Studio Head.
Zanuck here checks in on his new star in advance of the film that would win her an Academy Award. Following her success on Broadway in Oklahoma! and Bloomer Girl, Celeste Holm turned her sights on Hollywood, signing with Zanuck's 20th Century Fox studio. Her screen debut came in 1946 with Three Little Girls in Blue; next, she was considered for two roles in a film personally selected by Zanuck, Gentleman's Agreement, based on a challenging novel that confronted anti-Semitism in post-war America. Zanuck was of Swiss descent and raised Protestant, but was frequently presumed Jewish and apparently denied membership to the Los Angeles Country Club; he took on the film against the requests of other major studio heads, who were mainly Jewish. The film won Best Picture and several other Oscars and Golden Globes, including Ms. Holm for Best Supporting Performance, but Zanuck carefully watched over pre-production and wrote to Ms. Holm that "the role you are to play of Anne in GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT is, in my opinion, the most important role by far that you have played in films... And now we come to a personal note. I understand that recently you have successfully reduced but that to give the role everything that it calls for you must reduce further.... As you know, Anne is a smart fashion designer, a gal of great taste. When we see her she must be trim and smart and we must feel that she is capable of heading the fashion department of a national magazine. For this reason more than anything else I would like to see you down at least to the weight you were in THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE." The letter bears a bold signature that covers three lines of the text above. Offered with the letter is Holm's scurried draft of a response on the stationery of the Lord Tarleton Hotel in Miami Beach, to which she dashed in pencil "Nothing could make me happier that does this assignment in 'G.A'!" Holm then crossed out three lines of text and continued "I shall continue my reducing to achieve even lesser proportions than those I had in 3 Little G's in Blue. Sincerely, in appreciation, C."
Sold for $630
Estimated at $500 - $800
Includes Buyer's Premium
ZANUCK, DARRYL F.
Letter to Celeste Holm regarding her role in Gentleman's Agreement, 1947. Beverly Hills: 6 May 1947. One page typed letter signed "Darryl Zanuck" on one sheet of Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation stationery. 10 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches. Faint folds, with a large bold signature of the Studio Head.
Zanuck here checks in on his new star in advance of the film that would win her an Academy Award. Following her success on Broadway in Oklahoma! and Bloomer Girl, Celeste Holm turned her sights on Hollywood, signing with Zanuck's 20th Century Fox studio. Her screen debut came in 1946 with Three Little Girls in Blue; next, she was considered for two roles in a film personally selected by Zanuck, Gentleman's Agreement, based on a challenging novel that confronted anti-Semitism in post-war America. Zanuck was of Swiss descent and raised Protestant, but was frequently presumed Jewish and apparently denied membership to the Los Angeles Country Club; he took on the film against the requests of other major studio heads, who were mainly Jewish. The film won Best Picture and several other Oscars and Golden Globes, including Ms. Holm for Best Supporting Performance, but Zanuck carefully watched over pre-production and wrote to Ms. Holm that "the role you are to play of Anne in GENTLEMAN'S AGREEMENT is, in my opinion, the most important role by far that you have played in films... And now we come to a personal note. I understand that recently you have successfully reduced but that to give the role everything that it calls for you must reduce further.... As you know, Anne is a smart fashion designer, a gal of great taste. When we see her she must be trim and smart and we must feel that she is capable of heading the fashion department of a national magazine. For this reason more than anything else I would like to see you down at least to the weight you were in THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE." The letter bears a bold signature that covers three lines of the text above. Offered with the letter is Holm's scurried draft of a response on the stationery of the Lord Tarleton Hotel in Miami Beach, to which she dashed in pencil "Nothing could make me happier that does this assignment in 'G.A'!" Holm then crossed out three lines of text and continued "I shall continue my reducing to achieve even lesser proportions than those I had in 3 Little G's in Blue. Sincerely, in appreciation, C."
Auction: Stage & Screen, Dec 15, 2023
NEW YORK, NY -- Doyle's third annual Stage & Screen auction on December 15, 2023 attracted determined competition from collectors and fans around the world resulting in a sale total that surpassed expectations! Held in collaboration with the Entertainment Community Fund, the auction offered artwork, memorabilia, props, autographs and photographs from the vast history of the performing arts: Theater, Hollywood, Music and Dance.
Recognizing the importance of the performing arts to the fabric of New York, and the terrible toll the pandemic and recent strikes have taken on the entertainment community, Doyle is proud to donate 10% of our profit from this auction to the Entertainment Community Fund.
Highlighting the sale was an important 1969 letter and drawing from rock legend Freddie Mercury to Ibex bandmate Mick "Miffer" Smith that soared past its $12,000-18,000 estimate to achieve $50,400. Penned a year before forming Queen, Mercury discusses seeing Led Zeppelin, his sexuality, his songwriting, and his early bands’, Ibex and Wreckage, upcoming performances. The letter is a tour-de-force of descriptive thought and shows his growing passion for writing music.
A special section of the auction comprising lots 5001 - 5019 featured celebrity memorabilia presented by the Entertainment Community Fund. While a portion of proceeds from every item in the auction benefited the Fund, 100% of the hammer price of the lots in this section goes entirely to the Entertainment Community Fund.
A highlight of this section was the stunning pink double-breasted velvet tuxedo jacket worn by Daniel Craig to the world premiere of No Time To Die at London's Royal Albert Hall on September 28, 2021. With competition from both sides of the Atlantic, the tuxedo jacket sold for $10,710, more than doubling its $3,000-5,000 estimate.
Founded in 1882, the Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) is a national 501(c)(3) charitable organization for performing arts and entertainment professionals. The Fund helps address the specific needs of those in the industry, with a unique understanding of the challenges involved in a life in the arts. Read More ►
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a free auction estimate.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141, ext 248, or email Peter.Costanzo@Doyle.com