DOUGLASS WATSON - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 300544

DOUGLASS WATSON
Handwritten letter to John Willis, describing his recent theatrical appearances on the West Coast
Autograph Letter signed: "Doug Watson", 1 page, 6x9. Center Theater Group, Los Angeles, California, no date. To "Dear John" [Willis]. In full: "Thanks for the invitation to the Theatre World party. Am going to Mark Laper to do 'Catonsville' till August. Have been here in Seattle all winter - Seattle Rep - & Washington U - enjoyed fantastic scenery. Bill in 'Indians' and Gaunt in Chamberlain's Rich II - he is quite good. Best regards". DOUGLASS WATSON (1921-1989), a veteran of World War II, won a 1948 Theatre World Award for his performance in Antony and Cleopatra and a 1973 Drama Desk Award for Much Ado About Nothing. A character actor in films and television for nearly fifty years, notable credits include Julius Caesar (1953), Sayonara (1957) and The Money Pit (1986). Theatre World, founded in 1945 by Daniel Blum, is America's oldest annual record of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre, referenced by industry professionals, historians, students and theatre fans worldwide. Until 1998, when a separate nonprofit corporation was established, Theatre World's editorial staff bestowed the prestigious Theatre World Awards for outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway debuts. Screen World (from 1950) and Dance World (from 1966), administered from the same office, furnished comprehensive information on those entertainment genres. John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tony for Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Fine condition.