Classic Entertainment Autographs

Cat. #00065112: BILLIE BURKE

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Very early 3.5 x 5.5-inch black and white matte-finish English postcard photograph, boldly signed in black fountain pen in the 1910s, during her stage career. Quite charming and in fine condition for its age, with a minor crease to the upper area. Best recognized by contemporary audiences for her role as Glinda the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz (1939), Billie Burke had been enchanting audiences as a musical comedy, Broadway and silent film star for four decades before appearing in the fantasy classic. While adept at dramatic roles, her real strength lay in comedy, and she excelled at portraying fey, birdbrained society ladies. She toiled tirelessly at MGM during the sound era, but made rewarding side trips to Hal Roach Studios, where she appeared as Mrs. Topper in the three Topper films, played Oliver Hardy's wife in Zenobia (1939), and earned an Oscar nomination for Merrily We Live (1938).