BRUCE LESTER - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH CIRCA 1940 - HFSID 289521

BRUCE LESTER
Extra rare! Signature on a vintage photo, inscribed in person in blue fountain pen to collector Saul Goodman.
Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Saul Goodman/with best wishes/Bruce Lester". B/w, 8x10. Collector's ink stamp on verso dates signature: 8/12/1940. Bruce Lister (1912-2008), born and originally billed as Bruce Lister, was a British actor born in South Africa. A fine athlete, Lester chose acting over professional tennis only after long deliberation. After some strong initial roles in England, Lester found himself consigned to quota quickies, but his fortunes improved greatly when he moved to Hollywood. He had prominent roles in Pride and Prejudice and The Letter (both 1940), forming a close friendship with Bette Davis during filming of The Letter. When war broke out, he was persuaded to delay his return to England for military service until he had made some films boosting American support for his country's cause (A Yank in the RAF, Above Suspicion). After the war, Lester's last major role was in But Not in Vain (1948), after which he played smaller parts through 1958. Saul Goodman (1919-2003), a New York business man by day, pursued his love of film and theatre in the evening, making friends with many celebrities. While other autograph seekers offered album leaves, Goodman presented stars with snazzy photographs, a rarity then, to sign in fountain pen. Upper left corners creased. Otherwise, fine condition.