HELEN HAYES - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH CO-SIGNED BY: GEORGE F. ABBOTT - HFSID 286634

HELEN HAYES and GEORGE ABBOTT
7x5 photo, seated together on a sofa, signed by both
Photograph signed: "George Abbott", "Helen Hayes". B/w 7x5. Known as "Mr. Broadway", George Abbott (1887-1995) died at age 107. He was involved in more than 120 productions in a career that began in 1912 and extended into the late 1980s. A playwright, director and producer, Abbott won the Pulitzer Prize in 1960 for his drama, Fiorello!, and Tony Awards in 1955 (The Pajama Game, Author), 1956 (Damn Yankees, Author), 1960 (Fiorello!, Author) and 1963 (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Director). The March 14, 1994 issue of "Time" magazine reported that at the 1994 revival of Damn Yankees, the 106-year-old Abbott was busy "supervising revisions to his libretto" and "was in the audience for previews night after night -- taking notes." Hayes (1900-1993) won the 1931-1932 Academy Award for Best Actress for the title role in The Sin of Madelon Claudet, her first film. After starring in Vanessa, Her Love Story in 1935 for M-G-M, Hayes returned to Broadway and enjoyed the greatest triumph of her stage career in the title role of Victoria Regina (1935-1938). She earned the sobriquet, First Lady of the American Stage, winning Tonys for Happy Birthday (1947), the first year the award was given, and for Time Remembered (1958). A frequent TV guest star from the 1950s to the 1980s, Hayes made occasional films, such as Anastasia (1956) and Airport (1970), winning a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the latter. Creased at lower left corner. Edges lightly toned. Parts of signatures light but legible. Ink and pencil notes (unknown hand) on verso. Otherwise fine condition.