LEO GENN - AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED CO-SIGNED BY: MARTHA RAYE - HFSID 165658

LEO GENN, COSIGNED BY: MARTHA RAYE
Yellow album leaf signed "Oh Boy!" by Raye and "Good wishes" by Genn
Autograph Note signed: "To Bill,/Good wishes/Leo Genn" and, on verso, "Oh Boy!/Martha/Raye". 6x4¼. GENN (1905-1978, born in London, England) started out as a barrister - he had a relaxed charm and smooth voice that suited him well for the job - but was bit by the acting bug soon after getting his legal qualifications. He made his debut on stage in 1930 and performed on the London stage and in a few movies while supporting himself as a lawyer. Genn gave up law in 1939 for his Broadway debut in The Flashing Stream. All told, Genn had over 70 movies and TV shows and six Broadway plays to his credit, includinga a triumphant performance in the Broadway production of Lillian Hellman's Another Part of the Forest (1946-1947) and an Oscar nominated performance as Gaius Petronius, Nero's counselor, in Quo Vadis?. His acting career was put on hold by World War II; he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1943 and received the Croix de Guerre in 1945. The Allies tapped Genn's legal training after the war; he investigated the Belsen concetration camp and later became an assistant prosecutor in the resulting trials against the camp's SS staff. Singer, actress and comedienne RAYE (1916-1994, born in Butte, Montana) made her Broadway debut in 1934 and her first film in 1936. She had her own TV show (1953-1954) and many guest appearances. A tireless performer for American troops in three wars, billing herself as "Colonel Maggie", she was honored with the Academy of Motion Pictures' Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (1968) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1993). She was buried in the military cemetery at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Lightly toned, stained and creased. Random ink stains. Page has been torn neatly from album on one edge. Otherwise in fine condition.