[Sir John Mills, Oscar-winning actor.] Typed Letter Signed ('John Mills') to Mrs Richard Eyre, daughter of Charles Royds, First Lieutenant to Scott of the Antarctic, regarding research on the film, in which Mills starred as Scott.

Author: 
Sir John Mills [born Lewis Ernest Watts Mills] (1908-2005), Oscar-winning English film actor [Richard Eyre; Scott of the Antarctic]
Publication details: 
24 November 1947; Fernacres, Fulmer, Bucks.
£120.00
SKU: 22522

2pp, 12mo. On grey paper with letterhead of his name. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with slight staining tape staining to two corners from mount. Addressed to 'Mrs Richard Eyre, | Bullsmead, | Maiden Newton, | Dorset.' The subject of the letter is the preparation for the 1948 British film 'Scott of the Antarctic', in which Mills starred in the title role. The recipient is the mother of the noted English director Sir Richard Eyre (b. 1943), whose father Charles Royds was Scott’s First Lieutenant. Mills begins the letter by explaining that the delay in replying is due to the fact that he has 'only just returned from Norway'. He continues: 'It is most kind of you to offer to let me have the lantern slides to look at, but I should be so desperately afraid of anything happening to them in the post that I don't think I dare risk it.' He explains that, 'during the eighteen months research', 'as much information' as possible has been amassed, and 'a great many photographs' have been collected, adding: 'we are completely fascinated, needless to say, by the whole story, and I only hope we can make a picture worthy of the man and the subject'. He concludes: 'If you have any small personal photographs taken of Captain Scott which I could borrow for a week or two, I should be delighted to see them.'