ROBERT "BOB" DOWNING - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 11/15/1969 - HFSID 301002

ROBERT "BOB" DOWNING
The actor types and signs a letter to John Willis, editor-in-chief of Theatre World
Typed Letter Signed: "Rodo", 1 page, 8½x11. Denver, Colorado, 1969 November, 15. Addressed to "Dear John" [Willis], in full: "You may have seen my review of the new edition of PICTORIAL HISTORY in this week's VARIETY - high in justified praise for you - furious at Crown for their wretched job of publishing. I am taking same tack in DENVER POST review. Off to England for a fortnight Nov. 29. Best," Robert "Bob" Downing (1914-1975) was an American actor and critic. In the 1930s, Downing began his career in show-business as a stage actor, appearing in productions of The Seagull and Amphitryon 38. Eventually, Downing became a stage manager for Broadway productions, specifically There Shall Be No Night. Within five years, he was promoted to production manager and worked on titles such as Hamlet and A Streetcar Named Desire. After his extensive stage experience, it was natural for Downing to pursue a critic position at the Denver Post, which he obtained. After a few years at the post of Drama Critic, Robert Downing passed away at the age of sixty-one. 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. Surface creases (not effecting signature). Top left corner creased. Otherwise, fine condition.