ALS signed “Audrey,” one page both sides, 8.5 x 11, letterhead with a printed sketch of her character in The Unforgiven, April 7, 1959. Letter to her friend, the playwright and lyricist Leonard Gershe. In part: “I am aghast with admiration that you can even think about letters on the eve of such goings on—rehearsals, openings, rewrites, sitting up nights in hotel rooms (though that can be a pleasure at the divine Ritz in Boston) all of which I am only too familiar with. Thank you ever ever so much, I feel much better…Your show smacks of success!! No one will be happier than I for fall—you deserve it so—shall keep all fingers crossed (except when on horseback) and send you loads of good and lovin’ thoughts.” In fine condition, with central vertical and horizontal folds and a very light stain near the center. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope addressed in Hepburn’s hand and an unsigned press photo of her being transported after her injury.
During filming of The Unforgiven in Durango, Mexico, Hepburn was seriously injured when she was thrown from horseback in between scenes. The result was four fractured bones in her back, and she was flown back to Beverly Hills in an ambulance plane to begin a six-week recovery. Despite the pain of the injury she maintained high spirits, as evident in the present letter. After recuperation she was able to return to the set and complete the film in a stiff back brace. The Unforgiven was Hepburn’s only Western, which is particularly noteworthy given the content of this letter—the project Gershe was working on must have been Destry Rides Again, a Western musical that opened on Broadway on April 23, 1959. A charming letter brimming with Hepburn’s usual enthusiasm and good humor. Pre-certified PSA/DNA.
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