CHESTER MORRIS - AUTOGRAPH CO-SIGNED BY: IAN HUNTER - HFSID 342927

CHESTER MORRIS and IAN HUNTER
The two early Hollywood film stars sign their names for young child actor Billy Seay
Signature: "Chester Morris" in pencil and "Ian Hunter" in blue ink. 1 page, 4½x6. Son of Broadway stars Etta Hawkins and William Morris, Chester Morris (1901-1970) appeared in silent movies as a child and made his Broadway debut at 15 in The Copperhead (1917) with Lionel Barrymore. He was nominated for the 1930 Academy Award for Best Actor in his first talking-picture role as Chick Williams in the Oscar-nominated Best Picture Alibi. He is best remembered for his role as Boston Blackie in 13 action films in the 1940s. Born in South Africa, Ian Hunter (1900-1975) served Britain in both World Wars. On stage from 1919 and on screen from 1924, he came to Hollywood in 1934, often cast as an upright Englishman. His starring roles include A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935), The Little Princess (as Shirley Temple's father, 1939), and It Started in Paradise (1952). His last major role was in Guns of Darkness (1962). Hunter's film career began with a partnership with director Alfred Hitchcock in its early years, appearing in The Ring (1927) and Easy Virtue (1928). From the album collection of child actor Billy Seay (1922-2012), who appeared in many films throughout the decade including The Greater Glory (1926), My Man (1928), and The Marriage Playground (1929). Seay would leave Hollywood in the early 1930s to become a noted artist and illustrator. Toned. Light surface creases. Pencil notes in bottom margin in unknown hand. Binding holes in top margin. Otherwise, fine condition.