REX REED - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 287924

REX REED
From the estate of Kitty Carlisle Hart, his letter thanking her for a dinner party
Autograph Letter signed: "xx Rex", 2 pages (front and verso), 5¾x4. No place, no date. On personal note card to "Dear Kitty". In full: "Thank you for including me last night in what turned out to be a most delicious and rewarding dinner party indeed. I loved being in a position of honor between Arlene and Claire Trevor. I loved the food (had two greedy helpings of every thing) - but most of all I loved your generosity in showing Arlene we're her pals and we love her. That was a kind and loving thing to do and I was so happy to be part of it." Reed, born in Fort Worth, Texas in 1938, is one of the most prolific movie critics in the country, and for decades has written entertainment columns for The New York Observer. Reed, who seldom pulls his punches, has stirred controversy with comments on everything from the Oscar ceremonies to Korean food. In 1970, he made his movie debut playing Myron in Myra Breckinridge, the young man whose post-sex change operation persona was played by Raquel Welch. He has even gotten a Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor nomination for playing himself in Superman (1978). Reed was also a panelist on Chuck Barris' infamous The Gong Show (1976-1978). But Reed's success came in reviewing movies, not starring in them. This letter is addressed to, and was in the estate of, versatile singer, actress and TV personality Kitty Carlisle (1910-2007), who was still performing a one-woman show as late as 2006. She was married to playwright Moss Hart until his death in 1961. The "Arlene" mentioned in Reed's letter may have been Arlene Francis (1907-2001), a close friend of Carlisle's, as closely associated with the TV game show What's My Line as Carlisle was with I've Got a Secret. Since the letter is undated, further research would be required to verify this. Fine condition.