Durable Irish-born character actress who appeared in dozens of classic films, including The Invisible Man, The Informer, and the Bells of St. Mary’s, and who was a particular favorite of directors James Whale and John Ford. Spectacular ALS, five pages on three sheets of 7.25 x 10.5 Chateau Marmont letterhead, January 13, 1935. An incredible letter to a fan in which the actress discusses in great detail her admiration of actress/playwright Cornelia Otis Skinner, the commercial culture of Hollywood, typecasting, her early career, her personal philosophy, her work on the horror classic The Bride of Frankenstein, and more. In part: “Your reference to Cornelia Otis Skinner interested me . . . She is so clever & her versatility is wonderful. . . . I have refused to play lots of parts but my reasons were usually on grounds of principle. . . . The simple fact is that the stage & the films are so commercialised that the actor’s talent is just a commodity exploited by business men. . . . Once they spot a certain flare [sic] in an actor & consider it marketable . . . they buy it & sell it to the public. . . . I’ve been a fighter all my life. I started in Dublin with the Irish Players. . . . I remember when I reached the point of seeing my name in lights on Broadway wondering why I got so little thrill out of it. . . . As to Hollywood - I’m still just a newcomer to the film public & have been thrust upon them as a comic. . . . I’m now working in a new ‘Frankenstein’ picture at Universal Studios . . . a part which was written for me so you can guess the type!” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope. Usual folds, light pencil notation, very faint stain to second page, otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
