Letters from Celebrities
Letters to Margaret
Senator Smith received thousands of letters a year from people from all walks of life. This included celebrities. Correspondence from individuals in the entertainment industry ranged from questions about the Senator’s view on specific legislation, political policy, or the current social climate to a friendly letter of thanks or congratulations. This small sampling of letters highlights both the Hollywood star and important moments in Smith’s congressional career.
Sophie Tucker
Broadway, Cabaret, Burlesque Star
Date of Letter: Circa 1960
Presumably Tucker sent a thank you letter to the Senator for making her “Fifty Golden Years” in the entertainment industry possible.
Morton Downey
Host of Star of the Family, known as the Irish Nightingale
Date of Letter: November 24, 1961
Aside from his duties as a television personality, Downey was also an accomplished singer and songwriter. He wrote to Senator Smith’s Executive Assistant Bill Lewis after meeting him in Mexico. Downey also sent two Christmas records [in display case] “one for you [Lewis] and one for Senator Smith…Hope you’ll like the tunes.”
Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
77 Sunset Strip, The FBI, Airport 1975, Batman: The Animated Series
Date of Letter: April 17, 1964
The Golden Globe winner wrote presidential candidate Senator Smith in 1964 regarding “the injustice of the accusation” by the Associated Press that he “slandered” her while campaigning for Senator Barry Goldwater for president.
Elizabeth Montgomery
Bewitched, Various TV Movies
Date of Letter: January 24, 1969
In response to the escalating war in Vietnam, the actress wrote to Smith stating “Wish my magic power on television Bewitched could establish Peace Department. You have that power.”
Lorne Greene
Bonanza, Roots, Battlestar Galactica
Date of Letter: June 2, 1970
Smith gave her “Second Declaration of Conscience” speech on June 1, 1970. The next day Greene wrote the Senator saluting “your present courage in speaking out against the nihilism of the left and right—and the awesome possibility of an over-reaction from the right in response to the disruptions from the left.” He also asked for several copies of the speech to send to friends in Europe.
Steve Allen
What’s My Line?, The Tonight Show, The Benny Goodman Story
Date of Letter: September 9, 1970
Allan and Smith shared an unfavorable viewpoint of Vice President Spiro Agnew. She “scolded” Agnew in a 1970 Newsweek article—three years prior to resigning his position in disgrace on charges of bribery and tax fraud.
George Jessel
Vaudeville Performer, Multiple Talk Shows
Date of Letter: February 27, 1972
The actor, producer, and songwriter began teaching a communication course in the early 1970s. In 1972, he asked Smith for any “advice, guidance, practice or philosophy” on successful communication to pass along to his students.
Arlene Francis
Popular Daytime Television Personality
Date of Letter: July 3, 1972
Francis and Smith worked together on a few occasions. During the 1950s she interviewed the Senator for the Today show and TV Home. Shortly after defeating Robert Monks in the 1972 Republican primary, Smith received a letter from the actress stating “Congratulations to Maine for being so wise as to hold fast to its superior Senator.” Smith would go on to lose in the general election to William Hathaway.
Roald Dahl
Screenwriter: You Only Live Twice, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Date of Letter: May 3, 1977
The writer was married to actress Patricia Neal who portrayed Senator Smith in the made for TV movie Tail Gunner Joe. The dramatic portrayal of the political rise and fall of Senator Joseph McCarthy originally aired on February 6, 1977. Smith presumably sent a congratulatory letter the next day. Dahl responded for Neal. He noted the actress was busy filming and that he would “give her your card and you can be quite sure she will be writing to you soon afterwards.”
John Davis Lodge
Little Women, The Scarlet Empress
Date of Letter: 1978
This actor turned politician sent a Christmas card to Senator Smith writing “nostalgic memories of serving with you in the 80th Congress.” Lodge became a representative, governor, and ambassador after leaving the entertainment industry.
Patricia Neal
The Day the Earth Stood Still, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Hud, Tail Gunner Joe
Date of Letter: July 1, 1980
Neal earned an Oscar in 1964 for her role in Hud, and was nominated for an Emmy for her portrayal of Senator Smith in a 1977 TV movie entitled Tail Gunner Joe. The actress sent a thank you to Smith for sending a copy of her “great” book and concluded with a “hope that we can both meet some day.”
Greer Garson
Goodbye, Mr. Chips, Mrs. Miniver, Sunrise at Campobello
Date of Letter: October 31, 1986
The Oscar winner sent a letter reminiscing about a luncheon attended by multiple legislators where Smith served as a “gracious hostess” in the mid-1940s. She also noted “Hope someday we’ll have a chance to see each other’s Library Centers.”