JEAN HERSHOLT
Jean Hersholt sends a typed letter ordering three copies of a short article about Hans Christian Andersen.
Typed Letter Signed: "Jean Hersholt", 1p, 6¾x9 matted, with a 7¼x9 b/w photo. Beverly Hills, California, no date. To Clyde King, Jr., Providence, Rhode Island. In full: "In response to your card of September 17th, kindly send me the three short articles concerning Hans Christian Andersen, as extracted from the Literary World for 1848, and priced at $3.75. Sincerely," 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. The letter is slightly creased, usual folds not at signature. Mat is lightly soiled at edges and creased at corners. Fine condition. Matted, not in Gallery of History style: 20¾x14. Not reviewed by us for conservation integrity. "As is" matting purchase.