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BROWN, JOE E.

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BROWN, JOE E.
(1892 - 1973) Renowned American film comedian and GI entertainer best remembered for his enormous grin and rubbery visage. A superb archive of material written to his longtime friend and advertising executive Robert R. Gros, including more than 60 A.L.S., nine T.L.S., six A.L.S. on postcards, one endorsed check, two fine vintage signed photos, and several signed greeting cards! Spanning more than twenty years, from November 14, 1945 to October 1966, and primarily signed ""Joe"" and ""Joe E."", this archive well exemplifies Brown's legendary gift of expression, and contains much fine personal, career and political content. In very small part: ""...[1945] The show is going awfully well and business could not be better...[Apr. 1946] Rest assured we enjoyed your visit...even the accident with the chair! Anything I can get a laugh that big, it's worth sacrificing a chair for...'Harvey' and the business is still tops...[Sept. 1946] Life in Chicago is certainly a busy one...I never have never had a greater demand on my time than since arriving...Our Harvey continues to fill each and every pew at each and every performance...The demand for seats is greater now than when we opened, with no sign of anything resembling a let-down...[Dec. 1946]...my talk at the Conference of Christians and Jews...I talked for only six minutes but was credited with 'stealing the show'. I don't believe it was because I was so good, only comparative, and Basil O'Connor and Rabbi Mann were the PRINCIPAL speakers...[Sept. 1947]...You will no doubt run into a lot of friends...as you tour the Pacific. Please make a note of them...a word of greeting from me....I hope you will have a chance to see Mrs. [Douglas] MacArthur while you are there. I have...just received a letter from her and little Arthur who are not any minor part of that grand family...[July 1949] I was brought home from the hospital on July 4...but can't scrimmage with the U.C.L.A. football team for a few weeks...My plans -- stay at Malibu...then fly to Wichita...where I will receive a plaque from the American Baseball Congress for my 'contribution to sandlot baseball over the years', then fly to New York...for four weeks of 'Harvey'...Meeting Elwood again was a real treat and tho most everyone had seen they play we had not one empty seat...[n.d.] All is hustle and bustle around 104 but I am still not thinking of work -- Guess I wonÆt til I get hungry. They say and I quote 'To be good you must be hungry'...[n.d.] I have staggered up the 14 steps to my desk...and take my pen in hand...Worked on book...and Thurs. filmed a T.V. show for Eddie Cantor...[n.d.]...A 'quickie' you know 'Always on the go Joe' but accomplishing nothin'...I fly to Washington for an MC job at the annual party given by the White House Press Photographers for the Pres...By the way, Bob, why don't you take time off and write a book -- Could be awfully good titled 'They Told Me'...[n.d.] I am up at 6am every day and it is beginning to get me down...But I have that 'stick-to-it-ness' so here yare [sic]...'Show Boat' seems to be coming along alright [sic] but I am so dizzy I wouldn't know...Geo. Sydney is a peach.,,[n.p.] I am writing this after doing two performances. You may have heard or read that I am returning seven weeks early to do ""Capt. Andy' in M.G.M.'s 'Show Boat'...Picture slated to start on the 20th...But as badly as I want a rest, I wan 'Capt. Andy' more...[n.d.] Just a 'quickie' between performances. On 'Hawaii Calls' at 2 - appear at the Constitutional Convention at 11:30, a Navy picnic at 3, rehearsal 7:30 and this and that between...[n.d.] Well last night I clumped into the Cub Room at the Stork Club and at the next table was Doris Day! I am not sure that is the correct name, but I met her at dinner at your home...I just had a call from John Kilpatrick telling me that the Player's Club want to honor me with a Pipe Night...I am to be 'Fall Guy' for 'Circus Saints and Sinners'...Norman Thomas was 'Fall Guy' at the last one...at the Waldorf Astoria...I like a quotation of Ovid's 'God gave man an upright countenance to survey the heavens and to look upward to the stars'...[n.d.] I didn't know anything about the report that General Ike was returning to the States. I mean definitely...[n.d.] Our picture only has about 8 days' work for me...Thanks for the check for Religious Conference Boys Camp...Thins are still going smoothly for my furry friend 'Harvey' and his traveling companion 'Elwood P'...I have done quite a bit of talking in Chicago - next week I talk at the largest Jewish Temple and the following week to a large Catholic group. I have agreed to do a few lectures for Clark H. Getts ...Will try for about 50 per cent laughs-philosophy...Harvey had a tremendous week last week and everything seems to be revolving around me, which pleases the 'ham' in me...Brother, I have been a busy guy...Doing a picture starting June 145th and spending another season with my friend 'Harvey'...[Nov. 1952]...I do not know whether you are back in the good old USA, where men are men and Ike will soon be the Head man -- which has made quite a few of us happy!...I have been dashing back and forth to New York once a month for a...TV show for Buick...There has been practically know [sic] help, but still with it all our show has had a most amazing audience -- the second largest...to 'I Love Lucy'...After my show in New York I will Toastmaster the Notre Dame banquet in South Bend...[Jan. 1955] Started work on an autobiography on Mon. and it is going to be a long job...Nothing else planned at present, except for a lot of 'for free' appearances...[n.p.]...'Show Off' got a very warm reception from the press and public...I will fly to N.Y. next Sunday and select two ladies for the important parts...Presided at a Hadassah affair for orphans at the Hollywood Bowl...leave for N.Y. Saturday to prep for a T.V. show...[Aug. 8, 1955]...We keep pretty much on the go beside the Yankee program. Just this last Wednesday I flew to Milwaukee to receive the Certificate of Merit and the Al Jolson Medal from the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Over some 35,000 people in attendance...I fly out to Wichita to appear at an appear for the Salvation Army...As I am president of the PONY Leagues Baseball, Inc. I am going to Washington, Penna...to attend a meeting...Then...I am going over to Williamsport, Penna for a Little League World Series, only to have to 'dash' back in time for a T.V. broadcast that same evening...[1959] n.d.]...I am going on Peter Potter's show...But just to give a plug to our picture. Incidentally, the pic. 'Some Like it Hot' is doing great business all over the country...[Aug. 1960] I broke my shoulder bone while doing a fall that was part of the play but will not be when I return...It is coming along as rapidly as I will allow it and I expect to be back in the uniform of Captain Andy Hawks the last two weeks of our run in Los Angeles...[n.d.] I am slightly 'nuts' and must go to England...The picture is 'keen' really keen. But around the 'Elly-bay' you resemble Lew Weber of Weber and Fields...I am off for Columbus, Toledo and to the Air Force Academy where I am to be speaker at the Sports Award Dinner...I am elated to do 'Harvey' -- yes 'Harvey' -- for a week in Chicago...then for three weeks 'Father of the Bride'...[n.d.] Tonight a dinner at the Macquere Club, Monday I am to M.C. the premier of 'The Dizzy Dean Story'...[n.d.]...Re: the MacArthur book which you so kindly sent me, I will ad [sic] a clause to my will whereby you will have the book if I kick off before you-all...[n.d.] Yesterday the Browns threw a ]shin dig] for the three chaps who accompanied me on the last trip...each did an impromptu bit that was delightful entertainment. Thirty per cent of the guest list were former vaudevillians..[1961] This week I am directing yes directing. And believe me it is a job. This is a 'theatre' in the found and seats more than 1800 people...Hey do you I am King Pretzel 1961? And they wanted to crown me...'King Pizza'. Hey how about that, ain't you proud??...[n.p.]...Got word last night...I was to have accepted the Joe E. Brown Trophy in memory of Don between halves of the Air Academy-U.C.L.A. Game tomorrow. It is to be a perpetual trophy...I have agreed to do the 2 1/2 weeks at Las Vegas...[n.d.] You is the nicest man d a best friend and when I delay writing to you it's cause I jest can't Prep it, get it? Gosh I am buried with chores that should be done, But I ain't got the hustle...I am still being kept 'on the run'. Went to Denver to throw out the first Umpire. Will be going to Louisville for the 'Darby'...then down to Florida, yes chores to do and will be going east to do a few shows..."". Also included are three pages of notes, likely for his shows or interviews, in part: ""...Jeep C47, Liaison Plane Pilots...Transport Pilots...Medical Corps and Girls...Japanese Americans...Valentine's Day...'Down Memory Lane', Nothing to sell, 'Harvey' a Sell-Out, Belong to no political party or group. We should all try to be good world citizens. I have something I would like to sell you HAPPINESS. I want to speak for all people, of all races, creed, religious faiths, and countries and color. I am a civilian but I want to speak for all boys in uniform...A Man, but I want to speak for Children..."". Along with more than thirty-five fine original 8"" x 10"" B/W photos showing Joe and friends on the road, giving interviews and talks, and dozens of original small format snapshots. A wonderful collection, overall very good condition.