Gardner, Ava - 1966 Signed Check Payable to Her Sister Beatrice. w/ Quality Double Weight Photo
Ava Gardner - 1966 signed check, made out to her sister Beatrice. Signed in black by Ava. Endorsed in black ink by Beatrice on verso.
Comes with a quality, 1970's print of an MGM 8x10 glossy double weight still.
-----------------------------
Beatrice was Ava's oldest sister. Ava, use to affectionately call her, "Bappie". They were extremely close throughout the remainder of their lives.
Ava became a Hollywood star, indirectly because of Beatrice:
Ava Gardner’s sister Beatrice moved to New York and married Larry Tarr, a professional photographer. In 1939, Ava was visiting her sister in New York, Tarr shot a series of photos of her.
An image of Ava, displayed in the window of his shop, caught the attention of Barney Duhan, who posed as a talent scout for MGM. Tarr worked overnight and delivered her pictures, the next day to MGM’s office.
Ava was interviewed at MGM's New York office by Al Altman, head of MGM's New York talent department. With cameras rolling, he directed the 18-year-old to walk towards the camera, turn and walk away, then rearrange some flowers in a vase. He did not attempt to record her voice because her strong Southern accent made understanding her difficult for him.
Louis B. Mayer, head of MGM, however, sent a telegram to Altman: "She can't sing, she can't act, she can't talk, she's terrific!" She was offered a standard contract by the studio for $50 a week and left school for Hollywood in 1941, with her sister Beatrice accompanying her. MGM's first order of business was to provide her with a speech coach, as her Carolina drawl was nearly incomprehensible to them.