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First Edition. Signed and inscribed by the author, Claude Roger-Marx to French-American actor Charles Boyer. Inscribed in French: ÒA Charles Boyer, qui sait quÕil nÕest de vraie grandeur que dans la simplicite. A Charles Boyer sans lequel Simili nÕont pas ete Simili. Avec lÕamitie affectueuse et lÕadmiration de Claude R.M.Ó The translation: ÒTo Charles Boyer, who knows that true greatness lies only in simplicity. To Charles Boyer, without whom Simili has not been Simili. With fond friendship and admiration, Claude R.M.Ó From a total edition of 280 numbered copies, this is one of 225 printed on fine Lafuma wove paper. Paperbound in original printed wrappers, entirely uncut and unopened. Quarto, 6 3/4Ó x 8 1/2Ó. Illustrated with seven original drypoints by Pierre Bonnard. Very good plus to near fine copy enclosed in a custom clamshell box. Charles Boyer starred in the original 1924 Paris premiere of the play and obviously formed a close bond with the author Claude Roger-Marx. Boyer earned a degree in philosophy at the Sorbonne before turning to a career as an actor. His first big Hollywood break was a very small part of a chauffeur to Jean Harlow in Red-Headed Woman (1932), and he went on to appear in a French adaptation of Liliom directed by the great Fritz Lang. This lead to other memorable roles in such classic films as Private Worlds, Shanghai, The Garden of Allah, All This and Heaven Too, Gaslight, Algiers, Fanny, Cluny Brown, Arch of Triumph, The First Legion, Conquest, Around the World in Eighty Days, Barefoot in the Park, etc. He was nominated for four Best Actor Oscars for his work in Conquest (1937)Algiers (1938), Gaslight (1944), Fanny (1961), and in 1943 he received an Honorary Oscar Certificate for his progressive cultural achievement in establishing the French Research Foundation in Los Angeles as a source of reference. In 1950, he appeared on Broadway in one of his most notable roles, that of Don Juan, in a dramatic reading of the third act of George Bernard Shaw's Man and Superman (popularly known as ÔDon Juan in HellÕ), and in 1952, he won a Special Tony Award for that performance. He also enjoyed success on the small screen, appearing in Four Star Playhouse (1952-1956), on the rather short-lived but critically acclaimed series, The Rogues, with David Niven and Gig Young, and in a favorite episode of I Love Lucy entitled ÔLucy Meets Charles Boyer.Õ. Seller Inventory # 17040E
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