RICHARD WEBB - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 09/16/1984 - HFSID 39936

RICHARD WEBB
The Captain Midnight star describes his career highs in typed letter, sings name in black ink
Typed letter signed: "Richard Webb" in black ink. 1 page, 8½x11. Van Nuys, California. September 16, 1984. Addressed to Mr. Todd M. Axelrod of The American Museum of Historical Documents in Las Vegas, Nevada. In full: "I deeply appreciate your kind letter of September 11, and the request the Museum be supplied "artifacts" pertaining to various phases of my show business career, and a mini recapitulation of overall career. Although having appeared in 60 motion pictures, commencing in April 1940, the roles which brought me the most prominence were both television series: CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT, 1954-1958; U.S. BORDER PATROL, 1959-1960, both carried by CBS. The CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT series immediately caught on with the public, a 1955 national poll indicated the series had 20,000,000 viewers: 9,000,000 "kids", 11,000,000 adults. Hence, the series was referred to "kid-dult". The series was number one in the ratings for a period of four years; one 1955 poll published the ratings thusly: 1. CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT 2. PRESIENT DWIGHT EISENHOWER 3. DUKE SNYDER 4. ELVIS PRESLEY. In 1958 ELVIS PRESLEY became Numero Uno, as we all know; CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT became Numero Dos. Major Motion Picture Studios where I have been under term contract include: PARAMOUNT PICTURES, COLUMBIA PICTURES, WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES. Actors in Motion Picture with whom I have appeared: WILLIAM HOLDEN, VERONICA LAKE, RHONDA FLEMING, RAY MILLAND, BING CROSBY, ROBERT PRESTON, ERROL FLYNN, RANDOLPH SCOTT, GARY COOPER, ALAN LADD, and many, many more. Here's to you continued, and even greater success. Thanks for the opportunity. Most sincerely". Richard Webb (1919-1993) played supporting roles in films before and after his service in World War II, but received top billing in only one: The Invisible Monster (1950). He had greater success on TV in the title role on Captain Midnight (1954-1956), a show that later flourished in syndication as Jet Jackson: Flying Commando. Webb's subsequent TV career was limited to a short lived series, U.S. Border Patrol (1958-1959), and frequent guest roles. However, he never tired of personal appearances as Captain Midnight, believing that his motto for kids, "Be loyal to your country and obey your parents", was good advice. Toned. Light surface creases. Fine condition.