RAY STRICKLYN - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 11/22/1983 - HFSID 318527

RAY STRICKLYN
Letter to Theatre World editor John Willis, happy to say his career in John Springer's public relations has, "been a good ten years."
Typed Letter signed: "Ray", 1 page, 8½x11. Los Angeles, California, November 22, 1983. On letterhead for John Springer Associates Inc. To "Dear John" [Willis], in full: "So good to get your note. And the possibility of coming to New York for the next Theatre World party sounds most exciting. I'll do my best. Yes, I've been with John Springer for 10-years! Hard to believe--but it's been a good ten years, despite my missing acting so much. But, finally, now that's been remedied too. 'Viewux Carre' finally closed this past Sunday evening. It was a fabulous personal experience. I'm enclosing a photo from the production--plus a cast list--in hopes that you may include it in your next Theatre World. If you need additional information please let me know. Also enclosed are there brand new photos for your files. Do you ever get to Los Angeles? If so, be sure and call. I've got a million things to do at the office or I'd ramble on longer...'till next time... Fondly". Ray Stricklyn (1928-2002) made his Broadway debut in A Climate of Eden (1952), and was soon appearing in films. He got top billing for the first time in the title role in Young Jesse James (1960). He was seen frequently in TV guest spots for over 40 years, from Dr. Christian (1956) to The Nanny (1998). He portrayed Tennessee Williams in a successful one-man show, Confessions of a Nightingale, beginning in 1983, hence the reference to a dream year in this letter. Stricklyn never became a big star, but he became very successful as a publicist, numbering among his clients Henry Fonda, Shelley Winters, Janet Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor and Bette Davis. He also managed the introduction of Rubik's Cube in the US. Theatre World, founded in 1945 by Daniel Blum, is America's oldest annual record of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre, referenced by industry professionals, historians, students and theatre fans worldwide. Until 1998, when a separate nonprofit corporation was established, Theatre World's editorial staff bestowed the prestigious Theatre World Awards for outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway debuts. Screen World (from 1950) and Dance World (from 1966), administered from the same office, furnished comprehensive information on those entertainment genres. John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tony for Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Lightly creased. Top edge lightly rippled. Otherwise, fine condition.