TLS signed “Charles,” two pages, 8 x 10, March 28, 1958. Letter to Billy Wilder. In part: “I hope you know me well enough to see that I am telling the truth when I tell you that I am very glad I was not awarded the Oscar. Every time I thought of it, I got into a frightful state of mind. I do not believe in the integrity of the damn things when I think that Garbo never had one, Chaplin never had one, and Hitchcock never had one. Have you had one, my dear fellow? I don’t remember. It would have made a nasty mark on me not to turn down something which I so heartily look down on, and I had been advised by Loyd Wright that I must not. I was terribly shocked when I heard that you wee not even nominated for your script and directing of ‘Witness,’ as I am not one of those fools, and I know the score of what’s what.” In fine condition, with a staple and punch holes to top edge, docketing notation to bottom of second page, and a few scattered creases. Laughton was nominated for Best Actor for Wilder’s 1958 film Witness For the Prosecution, which also received nominations for Best Director, Best Picture, and three others. An ironically critical letter, as Laughton had won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in the 1933 film The Private Life of Henry VIII. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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