500

Arthur Miller

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:15,000.00 - 20,000.00 USD
Arthur Miller

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Auction Date:2017 May 10 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
ALS signed “Art,” one page, lightly lined, 8.5 x 10.75, no date but circa 1956. Letter to actress Marilyn Monroe, affectionately addressing her as "Poke." In full: "Some of your dialogue is stiff. Also some expressions are too British. If you want me to, I can go through the script and make the changes—in New York. I think the part—on one reading, is really the Best one in the play—especially with you playing it. You are the one who makes everything change, you are the driving force. The psychology of the role is simple, of course, but it could be sweetly comic. The basic problem is to define for yourself the degree of the girl's naivete. (It could become too cute, or simply too designing.) It seems to me, at least, that they have not balanced things in Olivier's favor. (Maybe you'll see what I don't, though.) It ought to be fun to do after Bus Stop. From your—(and my)—viewpoint, it will help in a small but important way to establish your ability to play characters of intelligence and cultivation, for there are scenes in the last half through which you emerge as a girl with a sharp mind. In fact, the contrast between her intelligence and what the hero first takes her for is the comic basis of the play—That's why the central problem for you is the level of her naivete. Your loving Papa—(who has to rush now to make the plane—see you soon!—free!)—." Reverse of the page bears a bold red wax pencil notation, "Sydney Guilaroff, CR–55783," the name and telephone number of the famed MGM hairdresser. In fine condition, with intersecting folds.

Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe married on June 29, 1956, only two weeks before Monroe traveled to London to begin production on The Prince and the Showgirl, a romantic-comedy starring Laurence Olivier that marked the first independent feature of Monroe’s newly created production company. The new couple flew to England with Amy and Milton Greene, the latter the vice president of Marilyn Monroe Productions, and Paula Strasberg, Monroe’s acting coach. The constant on-set presence of Strasberg created additional friction between actor-director Olivier and Monroe; their relationship had soured almost entirely when the revered English actor suggested to Monroe, 'All you have to do is be sexy.' In stark contrast to Olivier, the character advice from Miller—using the sobriquet “Papa”—reveals the guidance and support he showed his new wife in her commitment to evolve as an actress. A fascinating letter from early on in the couple’s marriage.