PAULETTE GODDARD - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 36133

PAULETTE GODDARD
Goddard handwrote and signed this letter in pencil on American Airlines "in flight" stationery to a friend about her "being tailed by Cosmos" and her lively conversation with her Russian tail on a flight.
ALS: "P." in pencil, 2 pages, 7¼x10¼, one sheet front and verso, on American Airlines "in flight" stationery. Addressed to "Deer [sic] Pal.". In full: "I know Im [sic] being tailed by Cosmos. As I'm writing this in flite [sic] my seat companion is looking over my shoulder reading every word - there - he stopped! When the drinks were served I ordered Martini. He was taken aback & said, what? Don't you like Vodka. He also told me he had been to Russian exhibit & extolled the wonders. I clammed up. Then he gave me or tried to - a survey of the Israeli History I told him not to bother as I was very well informed on the subject. Got so bored with his questions finally asked - Are you a Russian? He said how did you guess? since I have no accent! Well he is Russe [sic] & speaks American Omaha English. Any way we have a T.V. format for next season. A spie [sic] story beginning in Cosmos of fill to the Film Festival ad infinitum more later". Stamp at lower right corner of second page: "From The Estate of ANITA LOOS", so this letter was possibly sent to Anita Loos, author of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1925), which was adapted into the Marilyn Monroe film of the same name. PAULETTE GODDARD, a former teen Broadway chorus girl, first attracted attention when she was featured reclining on a prop crescent moon in the 1928 Ziegfeld musical, Rio Rita. She 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. Goddard shot to stardom when she was cast by Charlie Chaplin in his 1936 film, Modern Times. She 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's remark in this letter that she knew Israeli history is due to her being Jewish herself. She also later married German writer Enrich Maria Remarque (All Quiet on the Western Front), who was Jewish. While we were unable to find any reference to a spy series, Goddard was coaxed out of retirement for a made-for-TV movie, The Snoop Sisters, in 1972.Lightly creased. Pencil slightly smudged on some words, stray pencil marks at lower line of first page. 2 "G"s (one in pencil and one in red pencil) written (unknown hand) at upper margin. Stamp on page 2 had bled through to page 1 and touches some handwriting. Writing cut off on left edge of page 1 on two lines. Folded twice and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.