JOAN FONTAINE - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED CIRCA 1982 - HFSID 316591

JOAN FONTAINE
The actress thanks John Willis, Editor of Theatre World, for a recent birthday card
Autograph letter signed: "Joan Fontaine", in blue ink, 4¼x6. 1982. In full: "Dear John, your attractive birthday card was waiting for me on my return from Taiwan. A warm and welcome homecoming - thank you. My good wishes to you". Stage, screen and television actress Joan Fontaine (born Joan de Beavoir de Havilland in 1917) started in film in 1935, but her career took off in the 1940s, when she starred in two of Alfred Hitchcock's films, Rebecca (for which she received an Oscar nomination) and Suspicion (for which she received the Best Actress Academy Award in 1941). The younger sister of actress Olivia deHavilland, they were the first sisters to win Oscars and the first to be nominated for Academy Awards in the same year (1941). When Joan won the coveted statuette in 1941, the sisters, who were known for their jealous feuds, became permanently estranged. John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tony for Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Corners slightly worn and creased. Lightly toned. Edges slightly worn. Otherwise, fine condition.