JEAN HERSHOLT - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH 1936 - HFSID 323253

JEAN HERSHOLT
Vintage still from the 1936 film The Country Doctor, with Hersholt penning on the top margin "Of all the H50 pictures I've made, I loved this one the most". Dated 1936, the year of the film's release
Photograph signed: "Of all the H50 pictures I've made, I loved this one the most Jean Hersholt 1936". The film, titled The Country Doctor, was released the year he signed this film still. Danish actor Jean Hersholt's (1886-1956) screen image was altered permanently in 1936 when he was cast as Dr. Dafoe, the Canadian obstetrician who delivered the celebrated Dionne Quintuplets, in 20th Century-Fox's The Country Doctor. Plans to create a Dr. Dafoe movie series were blocked by the real Dafoe, but Hersholt was anxious to sustain the characterization of a beneficent, lovable small-town doctor. Thus Dr. Christian, named for Hersholt's favorite author, Hans Christian Andersen, was born. The actor created the role of Dr. Christian on radio in 1937 and then filmed a series of six Christian movies for RKO (1939-1941). Extending the ethics and generosity of Dr. Christian into his private life, Hersholt set up the Motion Picture Relief Fund, which provided medical care and a livable income for actors, directors and other studio employees who were no longer able to care for themselves. While serving as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, he received two honorary Academy Awards for his charity work (1940, 1950). After the actor's death in 1956, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was set up by the Academy to honor conspicuous acts of selflessness and kindness in the movie industry. Pin holes in corners. Corners worn and creased. Toned. Lightly bowed. Edges worn and creased. Photograph info printed on verso. Paper clipping affixed to verso on left margin, showing on bottom margin of front. Small tear in right margin. Some ink faded and beaded on signature, but clearly legible. Otherwise, fine condition.