TERRENCE O'FLAHERTY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED - HFSID 270597

TERRENCE O'FLAHERTY
Letter from the television critic saying that he normally does not give out his number to strangers, but will give it to the recipient due to her association with comedienne Phyllis Diller, but warns that "it is written in invisible ink and will self-destruct twelve seconds after crossing the border into Brentwood Park"
Typed Letter signed: "Terrence O'Flaherty", 1 page, 6x8½. No place, no date. On personal letterhead to Stephanie Waldron, daughter of actress/comedienne Phyllis Diller. In full: "Look here, Stephanie Waldron, I don't go around giving my telephone number out to any movie star that comes along and asks for it, you know. Even if it DOES come with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Particularly in pink. And from the childhood home of Monica Lewinsky. A man of my age, wealth, talent and adorableness cannot be too careful now that women have got the vote and are out of the house servcing politicians, hiding cigars in odd places, and making general nuisances of themselves everywhere on the planet. Furthermore, I have checked the name as it appears on your 32 cent stamp and my local parish priest has assured me that there is no Cardinal Honeyeater in your Diocese. However, because of my long acquaintance with Miss Diller and due to her recent surgical problems, I am willing to make an exception. My number appears inside the envelope flap [not present] but for reasons of security it is written in invisible ink and will self-destruct twelve seconds after crossing the border into Brentwood Park. Memorize it swiftly, place your fingers in your ears and stand back. Prayer will not help." Terrence O'Flaherty (1918-2001) was the longtime television critic of the San Francisco "Chronicle". In 1961 he hosted the West Coast half of the TV program PM East/PM West, with Mike Wallace as his eastern counterpart. O'Flaherty's writings include a viewers' companion to Masterpiece Theatre, published to celebrate the program's 25th anniversary (1996). Stephanie WALDRON, Phyllis Diller's daughter, died in 2002 at age 53. Normal mailing folds. Light surface creases. Corners slightly worn. Otherwise, fine condition.