Bidspirit auction | RATHBONE BASIL: (1892-1967)

RATHBONE BASIL: (1892-1967) - RATHBONE BASIL: (1892-1967) British actor, famous for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in a number of films. T.L.S., Basil Rathbone , two pages (separate leaves) 4to, n.p. (California), 18th February 1942, to Private Eric Moorhouse, on Rathbone's personal printed stationery featuring a facsimile of his signature. Rathbone states that he agrees with his correspondent regarding Black Cat , (' unfortunately, once in a while, one has to make a picture like this ') and also writes of his film work ' I have just signed a seven year contract with M.G.M. and I am very happy about my prospects. My first picture is with Bill Powell and Hedy Lamarr, and is entitled ”Cross Roads”. I have an excellent part. So glad that you liked ”International Lady”. I loved doing it, and I am hoping to get another part like that' . The actor further informs his correspondent that he has been re-elected as President of The British War Relief in California, remarking ' Of course, with America in the war, we shall not be able to maintain our very high standard of cash collections, but we shall continue with our large shipments of clothing and the Seeds Campaign '. He concludes by referring to his family and writes ' We are so glad that this last year has not been such a hot one for the old country, although it has been pretty tough in North Africa and in the Far East. But if the United Nations stick together we can't help but win in the end' . VG The Black Cat (1941) was a comedy-horror film loosely inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's 1843 short story of the same title. Rathbone portrayed Montague Hartley and other cast members included Bela Lugosi, Broderick Crawford, Alan Ladd and Gladys Cooper.