Beautiful and talented African-American actress (1922–1965) who earned an Academy Award nomination for her leading role in the 1954 film Carmen Jones. She died of a drug overdose at the age of 42. Stunning matte-finish 16 x 19.75 photo, circa 1950s–early 1960s, signed and inscribed in early black felt tip “To the Hyatt Music Theatre—I can’t think of anything I have loved more than being here—Please ask me back again soon, Dorothy Dandridge.” Dandridge discussed her engagement in this production in the posthumously published 1970 memoir Everything and Nothing: “I played and sang the part of Julie, the mulatto girl in Showboat, at the Hyatt Music Hall at Burlingame, California. Kathryn Grayson had the lead role. We rehearsed the show for a few days, then played for three weeks. Kathryn and I got along well…. But the Hyatt Theatre is a theatre-in-the-round, and I wasn’t used to it. I didn’t actually like it. I was anxious, panicky, trying not to drink. But my balance wasn’t good; I tended to reel once in a while. Even so the show went on each night, and so did I—all except for one night. That night I went into a paralytic state for hours. I couldn’t stand and had to be carried. Face, arms, and legs were frozen. Four physicians thought I would never walk again…. Next day I performed again. I wanted to show Earl I could do it. In fact, they said I turned in a real good performance that night….” The photo is affixed to a 22 x 28 heavy card mount which also bears a hand-painted placard beneath the image reading “Dorothy Dandridge in Showboat.” Framed to an overall size of 24.5 x 30.5.” Some light soiling and staining to edges of mount, well away from photo, otherwise fine condition. The photo itself is evidently spotless and defect-free, and, properly reframed, would form a stunning centerpiece for any vintage entertainment collection. The finest signed image of this storied actress you could ever hope to encounter! R&R COA. Oversized.
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