FRANCES FARMER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 05/09/1958 - HFSID 322981

FRANCES FARMER
Letter from the actress to Paul Small Artists Ltd. Inc. saying that they are authorized to accept all checks payable to her, and deliver all sums of money to the agency. Signed with her name and her married name, Mikesell
Typed letter signed: "Frances Farmer (Mikesell)", in black ink, 1 page, 8½x11. May 9th, 1958. Beverly Hills, California. In part: "Gentlemen: You are hereby notified that I have authorized PAUL SMALL ARTISTS LTD. INC. to accept delivery of any and all checks and/or sums of money which may from time to time be or become payable to me from you; and I hereby authorize you to deliver all such checks and/or sums of money to said PAUL SMALL ARTISTS LTD. INC.". Frances Farmer (1913-1970) had a reputation as a talented, but demanding and rebellious, actress who battled the studios, alcohol and other addictions and mental illness. At the time of the release of her film Son of Fury, costarring Tyrone Power, in 1942, the 29-year-old actress was arrested and convicted of drunk driving. Inundated with negative publicity, she traveled to Mexico. However, by leaving the U.S., Farmer was found in violation of her probation. Put on trial and deemed mentally ill, Farmer was committed to a mental institution where she underwent shock treatments, hydrotherapy baths and reportedly received a trans-orbital lobotomy. Over the next few years, her physical and mental health deteriorated; she developed a debilitating dependency on alcohol and suffered from a series of nervous breakdowns. Her best films included Come and Get It (1936) and Son of Fury (1942). A film about her life, Frances, starring Jessica Lang, was released in 1982. Normal mailing folds. Light surface creases. Lightly toned. Corners lightly worn. Staple hole in top margin. Otherwise, fine condition.