Walt Disney MARY POPPINS Letter to Family of Actress Gail Patrick

Nominated for 13 Academy Awards, Walt Disney’s MARY POPPINS is one of the most beloved movies of all time.  Julie Andrews won the Academy Award for Best Actress, 1965, for her portrayal of Mary Poppins, alongside co-star Dick Van Dyke as Bert the carefree chimney sweep.  This magical tale of the “practically perfect”’ nanny who brings cheer and happiness to the children and all around her won the Academy Award for Best Score, Best Song (“Chim Chim Cher-ee”), Best Special Visual Effects and Best Film Editing. 

Dated just two weeks after the movie's gala premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theater on August 27, 1964, Walt Disney sends this letter to the son of actress Gail Patrick thanking him for his kind comments on the movie.  Included is an email from the original recipient stating he and his famous mother attended the première of the movie.

Actress Gail Patrick often played roles as the "other woman," haughty socialite or scheming villainess.  Her film classics included the screwball comedy MY MAN GODREY (1936) in which she was at odds with Carole Lombard as a spoiled, treacherous sister; in STAGE DOOR (1937), she engaged in some marvelous cat fights with GINGER ROGERS as a cynical wannabe actress, and in MY FAVORITE WIFE (1940) she played Cary Grant's exacting second wife.  Gail exuded wit, confidence, assertiveness and elegance in all her characters.  She re-invented herself in 1957 and became (as Gail Patrick Jackson) executive producer of the PERRY MASON (1957) TV series (1957-1966), alongside producer and husband (Thomas) Cornwell Jackson who was a literary agent to author/creator Erle Stanley Gardner. The courtroom "whodunnit" was a long and highly successful run.

The value of letters written by Walt Disney depends greatly on the significance of the content of the letter and also the recipient of the letter.  Most have routine content and recipients; Walt declining to make a speech at a Rotary Club function, for example.  But a letter which make reference to classic Disney films or characters (of which MARY POPPINS is both) and has a connection to noteworthy recipients (Gail Patrick and her son) is more rare and get collectors excited and increases the value of the letter.

This letter is elaborately framed with a photograph of Walt Disney and Julie Andrews (in costume as Mary Poppins) and surrounded with a hand-decorated matte featuring drawings of Mary flying over London and those lovable penguin waiters.  The final touch is a "Walt Disney" metal plaque.  The overall size is approximately 22" X 26".  The letter- written on Walt Disney's personally imprinted stationery-  is in fine condition.  This is a showpiece “practically perfect in every way!”  Includes the Phil Sears Collectibles Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity.  Item  # 3618,  $3595

Special U.S. shipping charge on this item $29.95.  Foreign shipping $69.95.  Automatic checkout will not calculate foreign shipping accurately.  After you place your order we will email foreign customers for additional shipping payment.

SORRY, SOLD

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