Uncommonly early original 10x8-inch black and white publicity portrait, shown alongside Edward G. Robinson in Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939), one of his greatest film roles, boldly signed in black fountain pen with his name alone in the period of the film. In fine condition for its age, with a minor crease to one corner tip. Initially billed as Franz Lederer, Czech matinee idol Francis Lederer starred in G.W. Pabst's classic melodrama Pandora's Box (1929), opposite Louise Brooks. In 1934, he relocated to Hollywood, where, under the name Francis Lederer, he played outgoing, slightly naive foreigners at the mercy of aggressive, acrimonious Americans and Brits in films like Man of Two Worlds (1934), Romance in Manhattan (1934) and One Rainy Afternoon (1936). One of his best screen characterizations was that of disgruntled German-American bundist in Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939) and, as the years went on, Lederer added villains, continental cads and jaundiced cynics to his repertoire.  One of the best of that unsavory ilk was the world-weary vampire in 1958's horror gem The Return of Dracula.  

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