TLS signed “Bill Fields,” one page, 8.5 x 11, personal letterhead, July 13, 1940. Fields writes to Margo Janer and sends five pages of typed dialog for young actress Evelyn Del Rio, who had a role as Elsie Mae Adele Brunch Souse in Fields’ classic 1940 film, The Bank Dick. In full: “I received your letter and understand your situation thoroughly, having gone through the same stages and using the same procedure. I am enclosing Evelyn’s part in the picture. It will be enlarged considerably. You evidently passed here the night Carlotta made a Mexican dinner and we had some friends in—Thursday night to be exact. I hope yourself and little Evelyn are well and that the part in ‘The Bank Dick’ will do her a lot of good. However, I know how trying it is to wait. Miss Boss joins me in very best wishes to you both.” Mild handling wear, a rusted paperclip impression at the top left corner, and a horizontal mailing fold passing through Fields’ name, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by the original typewritten mailing envelope.
Fields first met Del Rio when she had an uncredited role as a crying little girl in the 1939 film, You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man. The performance clearly made an impression on the star, and when he began casting for his next release, The Bank Dick, he thought of the actress for the role of Elsie Mae. These pages were undoubtedly delivered as Fields was in the process of writing the script—under the bizarrely creative pseudonym Mahatma Kane Jeeves—hence the mention that “Evelyn’s part in the picture...will be enlarged considerably.”
The Bank Dick was among Fields’ more well-regarded endeavors, with an atypical blend of physical and verbal humor woven into an interesting storyline. Critics also highly regarded the script, which successfully combined subtle word play, slapstick comedy of the day, and wild car chases—all presided over by the great actor. Despite the overall accolades grated the film, young Evelyn’s movie career was notably short-lived—with only five big screen appearances. Perhaps the child was able to take some comfort in knowing one of the 20th century’s greatest stars once saw her as someone with great potential. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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