HELEN HAYES - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 08/15/1945 - HFSID 320749

HELEN HAYES
A letter from the actress to an associate, saying she would be more than happy to read the narration for the Willkie Memorial program, but would prefer not to make an informal speech in fear of appearing too "presumptuous"
Typed letter signed: "Helen Hayes", in blue ink, 1 page, 6¼x8. August 14, 1945. In full: "Dear Mr Field; Forgive me for not having told you before how much I like the script for the Willkie Memorial program. Has anyone wondered as I did, too, whether it wouldn't be better to have a man's voice as narrator? If you decide that this is better and wish me to do something else I am entirely at your command, and I shall be happy to read the narration if you decide that is best for me. But please, no informal speech on my own behalf. I should somehow feel it presumptuous. I will return home September first. You know my phone number, Nyack, 1010. Regards". Helen 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. Normal mailing fold. Staple holes in top left corner. Corners slightly worn and creased. Fine condition.