Found 5 collections related to Burke, Billie, 1885-1970

Joan Crawford was a film star whose career spanned five decades, from silent films onward, and who worked in many genres including drama, musicals, comedy, Westerns, and horror films, and who appeared on television as well. While there is some question as to the year of her birth, the actress who became known as Joan Crawford was unquestionably born under the name Lucille Le Sueur in San Antonio, Texas. Entering films in 1925, Lucille was signed by MGM Studios where her name was changed. Her films include OUR DANCING DAUGHTERS (1928), RAIN (1932), GRAND HOTEL (1932), DANCING LADY (1933) with Clark Gable and Fred Astaire, and THE WOMEN (1939). A mid-career switch to Warner Brothers brought Crawford a Best Actress Academy Award for MILDRED PIERCE in 1945. Later roles brought diminishing returns, until a comeback performance in WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? in 1962 led to a series of horror films. When Joan Crawford died in 1977 her age was given as 69, but she may have been in her early to mid 70s. Consists of four letters written to Joan Crawford. Two letters are from costume designer Edith Head, thanking Joan for Christmas presents. One undated letter from actress Billie Burke congratulates Joan on an unspecified honor, perhaps her MILDRED PIERCE Oscar. A 1972 letter from Nancy Reagan thanks Joan for flowers, and expresses regret they couldn't meet. less