Best known for the role of Sherlock Holmes in the film series in the late 1930s, Basil Rathbone’s acting career spanned Shakespeare to low-budget horror and actually included both at once in the Comedy of Terrors, where he recites every Shakespeare line related to dying. ALS, one page, 8.5 x 10.75, October 21, 1938. Rathbone writes to Eric Moorhouse. In part: “I was glad to get your letter & favourable comments on ‘Tovarich’ & ‘Make a Wish’—the Commissar is one of my favourite parts, & we did ‘Make a Wish’ solely to try & break away from heavies. It helped with the fans very much—they seemed to like it. ‘Robin Hood’ is a great action picture & doing phenomenal business all over the world. I have my best part (Louis XI of France) in ‘If I Were King’ which has already opened in London. And I have another good part in ‘Dawn Patrol’—I am not a heavy in either picture. I am not just about to start playing the lead in ‘Son of Frankenstein’—again I do not play the heavy—So maybe we have broken the bogeyman!….” In good condition, with creases, wrinkles, short edge separations (one touching one letter of last name), and pieces of cellophane tape touching several words of text and four letters of last name. The writing is clear and dark throughout. Interesting and desirable content related to a horror classic and several other roles! R&R COA.
