WALLACE BEERY - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH - HFSID 255850

WALLACE BEERY
Sepia-toned publicity photo by Melbourne Spurr of Hollywood of Beery from the chest up, with oiled hair and in a three-piece suit, signed "my best wishes to a sweet little girl" and "Wallie"
Inscribed photograph signed "To/Maryl/my best wishes/to a sweet/little girl/Yours/Wallie". With notations in blue ink in unknown hand and blue ink stamp from previous owner on verso. B/w sepia-toned , 7¾x9¾ with thin white border, printed on cardstock. Photo by Melbourne Spurr of Hollywood, with embossed stamp in lower left corner and, on verso, purple ink stamp that reads: "Melbourne Spurr/Portraiture". Beery (1885-1949, born in Kansas City, Missouri), the younger brother of Noah Beery, Sr., worked in theater before signing his first film contract (1913). Among his memorable movies were The Champ, for which he won a Best Actor Oscar in 1931, Dinner at Eight (1933), Viva Villa and Treasure Island (1934), Barnacle Bill (1941) and Bad Bascomb (1946). He began his career at the age of 16 as an elephant trainer's assistant with the Ringling Bros. circus. Moving to Hollywood, Beery starred in a series of comedy shorts as Sweedie, a Swedish maid. With the advent of sound, he showed his versatility in leading roles and became one of the most popular performers of his time. Among his roles in the 1930s were Pancho Villa, Long John Silver and P.T. Barnum. Lightly toned, creased and bowed. Thumbtack holes at corners, which are worn and torn. Lower left corner missing. Otherwise in fine condition.