CHARLIE RUGGLES - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 257436

CHARLIE RUGGLES
B/w photo of Tony Award-winning actor Charlie Ruggles behind the counter of a general store and speaking into an antique candlestick phone, signed "Sincerely"
Inscribed photograph signed "For Bill/Sincerely/Charlie Ruggles". Pencil notations on verso in unknown hand. B/w, 8x10 overall, 7x7¾ image, one surface, printed on cardstock. This is possibly a publicity photo from the TV show The World of Mr. Sweeney (1954), in which Ruggles starred Cicero P. Sweeney, the owner of a small general store. Ruggles (1886-1971), born Charles Ruggles, won a Tony Award for his performance in The Pleasure of his Company(1958-1959). A veteran actor who began acting in a 1905 stock production of Nathan Hale, Ruggles amassed 15 acting credits on Broadway between 1914 and 1964 (including his most popular play, the musical comedy Queen High, 1926-1927) and over 140 movies and TV shows between 1914 and 1968. Often appearing as drunk reporters and other comedy relief characters, he could also turn out some memorable dramatic performances in such films as Exclusive (1937) and The Parson of Panamint (1941). He also teamed up with Mary Boland in 14 comedies during the 1930s, including Six of a Kind(1934), Ruggles of Red Gap(1935), Early to Bed(1936) and Boy Trouble(1939). On TV, he headlined The Ruggles (1949-1952) and The World of Mr. Sweeney (1954), often appeared on The Red Skelton Show (1957-1962) and had recurring roles as Charles Wingfield on Burke's Law (1963-1964) and as Lowell Redlings Farquhar, Mrs. Drysdale's father, on The Beverly Hillbillies (1965-1966). Rocky and Bullwinkle fans may also recognize his voice as that of Aesop from the Aesop & Son segment on Rocky and His Friends (1959-1961) and The Bullwinkle Show (1961-1962). But his first love was the stage. He even took a 12-year break from the silver screen, from 1949 to 1961, to concentrate on stage and TV acting. Lightly cracked, creased and rippled. Pen skipped while writing signature, which is still legible. Pencil notes (unknown hand) on verso. Otherwise in fine condition.