Present Indicative - INSCRIBED TO MAURICE CHEVALIER by Coward, Noel. (1899-1973) [Chevalier, Maurice. (1888-1972)] - 1937

London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1937. Used; Like New/Used; Like New. The first volume of memoirs by the English playwright, actor, director, and wit, signed and inscribed on the half title to Maurice Chevalier: "Maurice / From one 'old Ham' / To another! / Noël / Arras 1939." The memoir, written in Coward's amusing style, covers his life until 1931; it was followed by Future Indefinite and Past Conditional. 431 pp. Blue cloth binding. Some light shelf wear and fading to the spine; overall in fine condition.
The French actor, cabaret singer and entertainer Maurice Chevalier is perhaps best known for his signature songs, including "Louise", "Mimi", "Valentine", and "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" and for his films, including The Love Parade and The Big Pond. His trademark attire was a boater hat, which he always wore on stage with a tuxedo. In 1958, he starred with Leslie Caron and Louis Jourdan in Gigi and in the early 1960s, he made eight films, including Can-Can in 1960 and Fanny the following year.  The success of Gigi prompted Hollywood to give him an Academy Honorary Award that year for achievements in entertainment.