ELIZABETH ALLAN - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH CIRCA 1935 - HFSID 289448

ELIZABETH ALLAN
Youthful MGM studio photo, inscribed in person to collector Saul Goodman
Inscribed Photograph signed: "To Saul -/Best wishes/Elizabeth Allan", in black ink, b/w, 8x10. Double weight publicity photo for MGM. Collectors ink stamp on verso dates signature: November 18, 1935. English actress Elizabeth Allan (1910-1990) began her acting career on the English stage, including four years with the Old Vic, before taking her first movie role in 1931. In all, she appeared in over 50 movies and TV shows between 1931 and 1979, often in starring roles. 1935 was probably her best year, with appearances in two crackerjack Charles Dickens adaptations, A Tale of Two Cities and David Copperfield. But her roles didn't improve much after that (she reportedly felt like she was "slumming" when she appeared in the Tod Browning horror film Mark of the Vampire that same year). Allan sued MGM after being replaced by Rosalind Russell in 1937's The Citadel, and Hollywood responded by freezing her out of roles; she appeared in only three movies in as many years after that. She returned to England after three years of this and continued her career, making a memorable character performance in The Heart of the Matter (1953). She was named Britain's top TV personality of 1952. 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. Corners worn and creased. Surface creases (not seen head on). Lightly toned around edges. Otherwise, fine condition.