FRANK CAPRA - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 10/21/1981 - HFSID 254827

FRANK CAPRA
Typed letter signed by Capra turning down a film festival invitation from Imelda Marcos, First Lady of the Philippines
Typed letter signed "Frank Capra" in blue ink. 1 page, 7¼ x 10½,with 4 x 7½ envelope with return address on flap, both on Capra's personalized stationery. La Quinta, California, Oct. 21, 1981, with envelope postmarked Oct. 20, 1981. Addressed to Dale C. Olson of Rogers & Cowan, 9665 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90212. In full: "Frank Capra/Box 98/La Quinta, California 92253/October 21, 1981/Dale C. Olson/Rogers & Cowan/9665 Wilshire Boulevard/Beverly Hills, CA 90212/Dear Dale:/Please thank the First Manila International/Film Festival for inviting me to serve as a/member of the jury for the Festival in Manila/from January 18-29, 1982./I would accept the invitation immediately,/and consider it a great honor, if I didn't/have an ailing wife who cannot travel and/whom I cannot leave alone./Please thank Madame Marcos, the First Lady of/the Philippines, for honoring me with her/invitation. I know she will understand that/I must remain close to my wife in her present/condition./Sincerely,/Frank Capra/FC:fh" Interestingly, this letter was written only a month before a deadly industrial accident at the Manila Film Center. Ferdinand Marcos had ordered the Center's construction for the 1982 Festival in order to enhance his country's international reputation. The letter was written to the publicity firm of Rogers & Cowan 20 years after Capra ended his directing career with A Pocketful of Miracles and is a testament to his importance as a filmmaker. His wife Lou Capra, whom he'd married in 1932, would die about three years after this letter was written. Capra (1897-1991), born in Sicily, was the winner of three Best Director Academy Awards for It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and You Can't Take It With You (1938). He enjoyed total creative freedom on his sets and also directed, among other films, Lost Horizon (1937), Meet John Doe (1941) and It's A Wonderful Life (1946). Capra was the first Hollywood director to have his name precede a film's title. Letter has been folded in three and unfolded. Top of envelope has been neatly torn. Otherwise in fine condition.