NORMA SHEARER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 10/14/1940 - HFSID 275108

NORMA SHEARER. TLS: "We miss you/Norma", 1p, 7¼x10½. Santa Monica, California, 1940 October 14. To Gilbert Miller, New York, N.Y. In full: "I am so sorry I have been so long in returning the script. I think it is charming and very amusing, although it seems to strongly resemble 'The Guardsman', if I may be so bold. I see what you mean about the writing. I am sure under your guidance it will turn out to be a brilliant piece of entertainment. Thank you for letting me read it. Affectionate regards to you and Kitty." Accompanied by carbon copy of letter from Miller to Shearer, dated 1940 October 14, sending her a copy of the manuscript. NORMA SHEARER (1903-1983) won one Best Actress Oscar for The Divorcee (1929-1930) and was nominated for five more: Their Own Desire (1929-1930), A Free Soul (1930-1931), Romeo and Juliet (1936) and Marie Antoinette (1938). She was married to MGM producer Irving Thalberg until his early death (1936). Shearer turned down the starring role in Mrs. Miniver, and, by some accounts, did the same for the part of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind. She retired from films after 1942. The letter's recipient, producer/director GILBERT MILLER, thrice nominated for a Tony Award between 1950 and 1962, received a Special Tony in 1965. In all he created 88 plays, but his list of credits at Internet Broadway Database does not include the title Shearer mentions here. Staple holes and paper clip impressions at top. Light corner creases. Slightly soiled. Overall, fine condition.