IRON EYES CODY - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH 1980 - HFSID 41010

IRON EYES CODY
Shown in a still from the 1947 comedy, The Senator Was Indiscreet
Inscribed photograph signed: "To William [illegible]/from/Iron Eyes Cody/Cherokee/Indian/1980". B/w, 10x8. Still from the 1947 comedy, The Senator Was Indiscreet, also called Mr. Ashton Was Indiscreet. Directed by George Kaufamn (the directorial debut of the playwright), the film starred William Powell as Senator Melvin G. Ashton, Peter Lind Hayes as Ashton's press agent, Lew Gibson and Hans Conried as a waiter. Ironically, Cody, who was billed simply as "Indian" in this film (and he identified himself as a Cherokee Indian on this photograph), was born Espera Oscar DeCorti, the son of Italian immigrants. Cody later married an Indian woman, adopted two Indian sons, worked as an Indian for his entire adult life and devoted himself to Native American causes. Iron Eyes Cody (1907-1999) appeared in over 100 films and more than 35 television series as an American Indian. Cody, who appeared in a number of films with Roy Rogers, including Young Bill Hickock, Young Buffalo Bill, In Old Cheyenne, Under Nevada Skies, North of the Great Divide, Son of Paleface and Alias Jesse James, was best known as the Indian who sheds a tear for a blighted American environment in the "Keep America Beautiful" television ads that ran from 1971 into the 1980s. Slightly creased at blank corners. Minor surface creases (not evident head on). Name written (unknown hand) in ink on verso (light show through at left background). Fine condition.