PAULETTE GODDARD - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 02/11 - HFSID 36157

PAULETTE GODDARD
Goddard handwrote and signed this letter "P." to her friend Anita Loos. In it, she talks about the shooting of Babes in Baghdad and her friendship with co-star Gypsy Rose Lee.
Autograph letter signed "P.". 1 page, 8¼x10½. With stamp in red ink on verso: "From The Estate/of ANITA LOOS". Dated "February 11". Addressed to "Dear Lovely Pal". In full:"Received the lovely card. It looked like you! Also received the copy of Lady [illegible]'s book. I do think she admires & envies Evita. Quite a prodigious job of research on the Rosa's. I found that historical bit very interesting, as it was less personal than the II part. Every bit of reading matter sent here is devoured by the entire cast. Even Galdys' clippings. Gypsy is a "[illegible]". Adds to the picture. We actually make a fine team. Trying to top each other, the picture will probably stretch to 15 reels, because we each must have the last word - We are also undressing more and more - wearing less & less - trying to top each other in that dept. So the net result is really something never seen before. Sailing with E. from [illegible] March 23rd S. S. Constitution Arrive Hampshire Apr. 1st or did I tell you that? No news but love.".Goddard's mention of "Gypsy" means that this letter could possibly be about Babes in Baghdad, released in 1952 and co-starring Goddard and Gypsy Rose Lee. The ink stamp and the salutation "Pal" leads us to believe that this letter was sent to author Anita Loos, Goddard's friend. Loos is perhaps best known for her 1925 novel, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, which was later made into a silent film (1928), a 1949 Broadway musical and the 1952 film starring Marilyn Monroe. Among her most successful theatrical projects were adaptations of Gigi (1950, filmed in 1958) and Cheri (1957). Goddard (1911-1990, born Pauline Marion Goddard Levee in Whitestone Landing, Long Island, New York) was an American actress. A former teen Broadway chorus girl, she first attracted attention when she was featured reclining on a prop crescent moon in the 1928 Ziegfeld musical, Rio Rita. Goddard reportedly made several two-reel comedies for Hal Roach (in a blond wig) before being featured as a "Goldwyn Girl" in Eddie Cantor's film, Kid from Spain, in 1932. She shot to stardom when she was cast by Charlie Chaplin in his 1936 film, Modern Times. Goddard also won Chaplin's heart as well as the role, but there were questions as to whether the two were ever legally married, and her relationship with Chaplin cost her the one role that she truly coveted: Scarlett O'Hara in the 1939 epic, Gone With the Wind. Goddard, who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for So Proudly We Hail (1943), also appeared in such films as The Great Dictator (1940) and Reap the Wild Wind (1942) before making her final film, the French/Italian movie Gli Indifferenti (Time of Indifference), in 1964. She was coaxed out of retirement for a made-for-TV movie, The Snoop Sisters, in 1972. Lightly toned and creased. Edges are torn and dented. Ink stamp has bled through paper and touches handwriting. Right corners are torn off. Folded twice vertically and thrice horizontally. Tears along folds. Otherwise in fine condition.