Typed letter -- signed [referencing The Sea Chase (motion picture, 1955), and The Story of Thomas More (1955)] by Farrow, John - 0

Book. Very Good. No Binding. Typed letter dated December 6, 1954 with handwritten (overwritten) personal greeting and signature. An interesting full-page (8.5"x 11') letter on address letterhead (612 North Beverly Drive Beverly Hills, California) addressed to Rear Admiral James C. Hibbard of the Royal Canadian Navy at Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada. Hibbard (1910-1985) commanded Canadian vessels in the Second World War, was promoted to Chief of Naval Personnel in 1950, and Rear Admiral in 1953. He arranged filming for Hollywood director and author John Farrow (husband of Maureen O'Sullivan; father of Mia Farrow and John C. Farrow) aboard the frigate HMCS New Glasgow, while the latter was working on the Warner Bros. motion picture The Sea Chase starring John Wayne and Lana Turner. This letter reflects on that filming and provides numerous interesting sidelights: "My Dear Jimmy: Late this afternoon I showed the assembled film on "New Glasgow" to a group of studio executives which included Mr. Warner. They were all deeply impressed with the smartness and cleanliness of an RCN vessel. Again let me emphasize my appreciation of your kindness. I believe I told you over the telephone of the little mishap that occured on the evening before the ship sailed. Two of my sons were playing at the end of the dock and, typical of their age and sex, they ventured into a forbidden zone with the consequence that Patrick (aged eleven) slid down an oil-covered ramp. Three of the men of "New Glasgow" promptly took to the water. I thanked them in person but I know a word from you would be worth a great deal . . . This film drags on and on and we are now at the most tedious stage . . . rain and storm scenes . . . I do hope the result is worth all the work tha has been put into it . . . My new book, The Story of Thomas More, came out about two weeks ago, and I am sending you on a copy. The reviews . . . so far have exceeded my expectations. The past week has been particularly frantic for me because, with the Pope's illness, the News Services decided that my book on Rome was the best of modern reference books so that at all hours of the night I was being plagued with questions and demands for articles. International New Services even tried to get me to drop the film and fly to Rome! I hope I will talk to you again before you leave for Honolulu . . . This afternoon Maureen is putting on a reception . . . Sincerely, John". Filming was completed and The Sea Chase was released the following year. The letter refers to the ship's departure for Hawaii, where actual fiming took place. HMCS New Glasgow, though a frigate, was depicted as a destroyer in the movie. Genereally in good condition, with an additional fold at the middle, and two binder punched holes at the top, which have been torn away above. Included is a signed/inscribed Christmas card, ostensibly in Maureen (O'Sullivan) Farrow's hand..