DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS JR. - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 08/21/1990 - HFSID 155570

DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, JR
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. sends a typed letter of regret that he will not be able to help with a production.
Typed Letter Signed: "'Doug' Fairbanks, Jr.", 1¼p, 8½x11. New York, New York, 1990 August 21. To Mr. Mel May, Mel May Productions, Sherman Oaks, California. In full: "Forgive the long delay in replying to your letter, but, as usual, I've been traveling. I hope we aren't jumping the gun a bit too quickly on the matter of 'The Majestic Fairbanks Story.' I can't locate any detailed correspondence re such a project. Furthermore, even if I approved of the material which would be proposed, I don't see how I could make myself available in L.A. during August-September. Nor, indeed, could I in good conscience 'take the title and credit of Executive Producer' unless I actually assumed in some way those responsibilities. As to Jimmy Stewart, I'm delighted he has agreed to be host, but why is he to receive 'only' $35,000 and I $15,000 (or, you hope, $20,000)? A comparison with what I received 23 years ago with you, [handwritten in] now is not admissible. The very least I could consider is a 'most-favored nation clause' - and even then reluctantly, Perhaps it would be better if we switched jobs and I will 'host' a Jimmy Stewart Story! Chinese Theatre footprints are not really seriously important, and the Medal of Freedom is already 'in the works' in Washington. The lack of an Academy 'Oscar' is the subject of an amusing paragraph in the up-coming second volume of my autobiography - so don't give it a thought. Yes, I did get to London in July and came back very grandly in the magnificent 'QE2'. Wow! What a ship! I hope and trust all is well with you and even if these projects are to be passed over, I hope we'll find other reasons to get together in the future. Incidentally, my hearty thanks to you for sending me a copy of SILENT MAGIC. I haven't had an opportunity to read it yet, but a thumb-through makes it look very interesting! Yours," Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (1909-2000), the son of the dashing actor of the 1920s and Anna Beth Sully, the daughter of an industrialist, was raised by his mother after his parents' divorce in 1918. At the age of 13, he starred in Lasky's Stephen Steps Out, an unsuccessful attempt to exploit the Fairbanks name. Although the younger Fairbanks, a movie producer as well as an actor, appeared in some 75 films, his father took little interest in his son's career, and the two did not become close friends until the early 1930s. His feature films included Stella Dallas (1926), Little Caesar (1930), The Prisoner of Zenda (1937), Gunga Din (1939) and Sinbad the Sailor (1947), and Fairbanks also appeared in a number of made-for-TV movies and hosted the anthology series, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Presents (1952-1955). In the 1930s, he was married to actress Joan Crawford. Lightly creased with folds, not at signature. Fine condition.