KAREN MORLEY - INSCRIBED ORIGINAL ART SIGNED CIRCA 1931 CO-SIGNED BY: MARGERY (MARGERY BRAINE) MAY - HFSID 22543

KAREN MORLEY
Pencil portrait of Morley by Margery May, signed by her, and inscribed and signed by Morley
Original Art inscribed and signed: "'Margery Braine'/from Karen Morley", "Margery/May '31". Pencil portrait of Morley, signed in pen by her and in pencil by the artist. KAREN MORLEY (1909-2003), originally hired as a stand-in for Greta Garbo during screen tests, was given an MGM contract in 1931 and began appearing regularly in major supporting roles, with occasional leads. Among her best known films were Scarface (1932) and Kentucky (1938). Her career came to an abrupt halt after she refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1951 and was blacklisted. She continued her political activism, running for Lieutenant Governor of New York on the American Labor Party ticket in 1954. Generally refusing acting offers after the blacklist was lifted, she did appear in one episode of Kojak in 1973. There is an autograph letter from Morley to the artist (not included here), thanking her for this sketch and regretting having to send it back. It is addressed to Margery Braine, so the inscription here is to the artist, who signed her art with a different name. No more information on the artist is available. Mouting residue on verso. Corners lightly creased and chipped. Pencil note (unknown hand) on verso. Pin-sized holes at top left and right corners. Otherwise, fine condition.