LEO GENN - PROGRAM SIGNED - HFSID 153754

LEO GENN
Leo Genn signs a program for the production of King Henry VIII at The Old Vic Theatre.
Program signed: "Good wishes from/Leo Genn" on front cover, 12p, 5x7¼. London, Great Britan, 1953 May 6. Program presented at the Old Vic Theatre. Leo 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 concentration camp and later became an assistant prosecutor in the resulting trials against the camp's SS staff. Slightly worn at edges. File hole at upper left corner.Fine condition.