GEORGE MURPHY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 07/06/1973 - HFSID 259093

GEORGE MURPHY
George Murphy sends a typed letter to Joan Crawford thanking her for the birthday telegram that she sent.
Typed Letter Signed: "'Murph'", 1p, 7¼x10½. Washington, D.C., 1973 July 6. On stationery imprinted "George Murphy" to actress Joan Crawford, New York, New York. In full: "Thank you for your birthday telegram, which reminds me once again, that there are really no friends like old friends. As you know, Julie continues to have a bad time, however, we manage somehow and are sustained by often thinking of you and the great fun we had together when the world was less confused. If I can get to New York with a moment to myself, I would love to visit with you and would take the liberty of calling you. Julie joins me in sending you our love. Again, thanks for your kind birthday greeting." Murphy had celebrated his 71st birthday on July 4, 1973. He and his wife, the former Juliette Henkel, whom he married in 1926, had two children. Dancer/actor GEORGE MURPHY (1902-1992) appeared in film musicals of the 1930s, moving to dramatic roles in the late 1940s. He followed a path similar to that of his friend Ronald Reagan: switching party allegiance from Democratic to Republican, serving as President of the Screen Actors Guild and winning election to the U.S. Senate from California in 1964. Murphy served as a U.S. Senator from 1965-1971. Actress JOAN CRAWFORD (1908-1977) was born Lucille LeSeur, but was forced to change her name by M-G-M studio head Louis B. Meyer, who thought her real name sounded too much like "sewer". Originally a professional dancer, Crawford made her film debut in 1925. She won a Best Actress Academy Award for Mildred Pierce (1945) and was nominated for Best Actress Oscars for Possessed (1947) and Sudden Fear (1952). A tell-all memoir, Mommie Dearest (1978, later made into a feature film), by her daughter Christina, portrayed Crawford as unfeeling and ruthlessly ambitious. Fine condition.