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Dore Schary Personal Signed Note To Van Johnson For Go For Broke

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Autographs - Original Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 200.00 USD
Dore Schary Personal Signed Note To Van Johnson For Go For Broke
Dore Schary Personal Signed Note To Van Johnson For Go For Broke - "Go For Broke!" (1951) was an extremely unusual and controversial film which took enormous guts to get made. Only six years after WWII, it is the true-life story of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team composed of Nisei American's (second generation Americans born of Japanese parents). What with most of these troops families being interned in "relocation camps" back in America, these troops fought bravely in the European theater, and became the most decorated unit in the history of the United States Army as well as having the highest casualties in the war for one Regiment. The classic was written and directed by Robert Pirosh, and was only made because of the power and well known iron-clad determination of legendary movie mogul, producer-writer Dore Schary, who was able to get it produced at MGM. For many years, he was the most powerful man in Hollywood. It was also the first major American motion picture to have a large cast of actual Japanese portraying themselves. Although fraught with major criticism before and during its production, the film went on to become a box office and critical success. It starred Van Johnson as the leader of the Regiment, Lt. Michael Grayson. This is a very rare and historical note, written on Dore Schary's personal stationary to Van Johnson. by Dore in his handwritten, and says: "Dear Van, It's wonderful that you're in this one. I know you're going to be swell! - Thanks, Dore". Virtually every major star (of which Van Johnson was at the time) turned down the part, thinking it would be too controversial, and could hurt their career, (as well as having them branded as "Japanese lovers", from a country still feeling racist hatred after the war), and it took great courage for Van Johnson himself to agree to be in the film. Autographs, notes, especially handwritten ones, from the famous Dore Schary are very rare. It was obviously highly prized by Van Johnson who has saved it in his collection all these years. It comes from Van Johnson’s personal collection, and includes a Letter of Provenience from the Johnson’s daughter, Schuyler Johnson along with a copy of her famous controversial cover story article “My Life As A Hollywood Princess”, about her trials and tribulations growing up in Beverly Hills with a superstar father and extended “family” with some of the most famous celebrities in the world.