ALS, one page both sides, 6 x 9, personal letterhead, May 7, 1955. Letter to Selma Williams, responding to her previous letter. In full: “Thanks again for your epic and enclosed photos. (1) As for me and I, there seems to be a movement in my tired old body which is subdueing [sic] (?) T.V., just too much work. Tried to do one show and found out I could do neither justice to the T.V. Or to the play. Can’t seem to get enough vitamin pills. (2) Handled by M.C.A. (3) As for a meeting—pretty tough—not, I hope, because I’m a snob—but after the show I'm shot—I go home, I drink a beer and hit the sack. I sometimes see a few people after the matinees but even this is few and far between. But if you’re in N.Y. after a matinee stop back (present this note to the doorman) and come on up for a few minutes—bring your own flask.” In fine condition. Accompanied by a carbon of an August 8, 1955, letter from Williams to Newman, still hoping for a visit.
The young actor had been performing in ‘The Desperate Hours’ since February, alongside Nancy Coleman and Karl Malden, when he sent this letter, though his comment of trying “to do one show and found out I could do neither justice to the T.V. Or to the play” was likely a reference to his performance in ‘Our Town.’ Interestingly, Newman’s stage role in The Desperate Hours was performed by Humphrey Bogart in a film adaptation that same year—a fact Newman must have appreciated as he was a strong advocate of Bogie’s belief, ‘Don’t trust anyone who doesn't drink 150 proof.” Handwritten letters from this early in his career are quite rare. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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