Articulate and humorous TLS signed “Take care, Mar,” one page, 8.5 x 11, 1957. Letter to Eddie Sherman of the Honolulu Advertiser. In full (spelling and grammar retained): “Who would have ever thought that I would be in paris in 1957 and fucking Amelia Aerhart. I called you a couple of times while I was in and out of Lotus Land but I guess you were mad at me. That’s all right kid, just wait till you want to get your hands on some of my used condoms, then we’ll see how tough you are. How are ya? I’ve been really bleeding with the heat here. I’m playing a German officer in the Young Lions and were shooting in wool uniforms at a mean temperature of 96 degrees. My nuts turnned into a couple of butterscotch drops and I had to scrape them up off the floor with a dull knife. I think that perhaps it’s going to be a good picture after all. Monty Clift and Dean Martin are in it. We’ll be here for possibly for threel more weeks and them go to Germany for six days and N. Y. , the desert, sunvally, the Hollywood. Its got the potentials of an effective anti war story and I’m trying to put my best into it. You know I ran into Salkin when he was here in paris but the telephone operator s didn’ t put hem through so I messed him. He wrote me a note and I wanted to answer it but I didn’t know his address so if you could give this letter to him I’ll kiss your ass inMacy’s window during Roshashonna. When are you comming to the States? Listen drop me a line and let me know whats Shaking. Say hellow to your boss and give everybody the finger for me. So long, Eddie, if yor can’t suck, fuck.” In fine condition, with light intersecting folds, and light scattered creases and soiling. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope, filled out in Brando’s hand, with his return address also written by him on the reverse.
At the time, Brando was working on The Young Lions, a World War II film in which he portrayed a disillusioned Nazi lieutenant. As Brando mentions, Lions also starred Dean Martin and Montgomery Clift, who represented the other side of the war, as two friends in the US Army. Based on the best-selling 1949 novel by Irwin Shaw, the movie was somewhat limited due to censorship restrictions, but was nevertheless well received—Brando’s performance in particular. Just as Brando complains about the weather in this correspondence, according to Twentieth Century-Fox: A Corporate and Financial History by Aubrey Solomon, the production filming of The Young Lions ‘Had the misfortune to hit torrential rains in almost every location and was even struck by a locust plague, causing delays which amounted to $1.3 million, almost 50 per cent of the original budget.’ A colorful letter, rich in movie content, clearly allowing us behind Hollywood censorship lines. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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