Iconic American actress (1893–1993) who became one of the first superstars of the motion picture industry and who enjoyed an unprecedented and durable screen career spanning from the 1910s to the 1980s. TLS, one page, 6.5 x 7, March 24, 1976. Gish writes to Barbara and Robert Roth. In part: “I’m so pleased to learn how much you enjoyed ‘The Birth of a Nation.’ The soldier’s name was Freeman. He was an extra on the film and helped with my clothes. We shot so fast that we took with us all the costumes that we needed for the day’s shooting. This was long before wardrobe women and we didn’t have enough money then to pay them anway [sic]. He would help me carry the heavy dresses and awkward hoops plus the hats and excessories [sic]. I did not see him again until the opening of the World’s Fair here in New York and was riding on a float. I heard my named called from the crowd, looked down and there was Freeman. He said wait a minute, he wanted to show me something and held up his four year old son. The float then pulled away and I lost him again. When we shot the scene [handwritten insertion: of my playing the banjo in the hospital], Mr. Griffith noticed Freeman standing there watching and told Billy Bitzer to get a shot of that face and that’s how it happened to be in the picture….” Matted and framed with the original mailing envelope and a vintage magazine photo to an overall size of 21.75 x 17.5. In fine, clean condition. R&R COA.
