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HENRY HARLEY "HAP" ARNOLD, THEATRICAL PRODUCER

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 300.00 USD
HENRY HARLEY  HAP  ARNOLD, THEATRICAL PRODUCER
HENRY HARLEY "HAP" ARNOLD, THEATRICAL PRODUCER
(1886 - 1950) American general, commander of the Army Air Force through most of World War II, responsible for instituting the daylight bombing raids on Germany. Typed L.S. "H.H. Arnold", 1p. 4to., Washington D.C., Oct. 8, 1945, to Mr. Walter S. Marvin, Arnold thanks Marvin for donating $5,000 in 1943 to help fund the play "Winged Victory", written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Moss Hart. The play was commissioned by Arnold and the Army Air Force to depict both the training and work of airmen and also the commitment and devotion to duty with which they carried out this work. Arnold gave Hart complete access to Air Forces resources. In this letter, Arnold summarizes some of the successes of the play: "...The AAF Winged Victory Unit... presented 445 performances of the stage play in 14 principle cities throughout the United States. It is estimated that in excess of 850,000 persons attended these performances and paid net admissions of $2,121,253.70... during the summer of 1944 the Unit made a motion picture of the play, which by September 22, 1945 had been shown in 12,066 theatres, producing gross receipts of $2,842,208.73... At present, total net profits from the stage play and motion picture amount to $1,451,226.19, which sum will be fully utilized to relieve distress of military personnel of the Army and their dependents. Presentation of 'Winged Victory' in so many cities across the country played an intangible but vital part in enabling the AAF to achieve success in its overall mission..." Folds, else fine.