Lee, Canada. (1907–1952). Signed Photograph. An uncommon signed photograph of the American actor in the 1944 Hitchcock film Lifeboat. He is shown holding a tin whistle, dressed as his character of the steward "Joe" Spencer, and has signed and inscribed in green ink across the image. Very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 26 cm).
After careers as a jockey, a boxer, and a musician, Canada Lee began acting via the Federal Theatre Project in the 1930's. In 1946, Lee played a principal role in "On Whitman Avenue," a drama about racial prejudice directed by Margo Jones. Lee produced the play, making him the first African-American producer on Broadway; the play spoke directly to the need for interracial housing following WWII and won the praise of former First-Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who wrote weekly columns encouraging readers to see it. As a civil rights activist, Lee was blacklisted during the McCarthy era, and died shortly before he was scheduled to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee.
Lee, Canada. (1907–1952). Signed Photograph. An uncommon signed photograph of the American actor in the 1944 Hitchcock film Lifeboat. He is shown holding a tin whistle, dressed as his character of the steward "Joe" Spencer, and has signed and inscribed in green ink across the image. Very fine. 8 x 10 inches (20.3 x 26 cm).
After careers as a jockey, a boxer, and a musician, Canada Lee began acting via the Federal Theatre Project in the 1930's. In 1946, Lee played a principal role in "On Whitman Avenue," a drama about racial prejudice directed by Margo Jones. Lee produced the play, making him the first African-American producer on Broadway; the play spoke directly to the need for interracial housing following WWII and won the praise of former First-Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who wrote weekly columns encouraging readers to see it. As a civil rights activist, Lee was blacklisted during the McCarthy era, and died shortly before he was scheduled to appear before the House Un-American Activities Committee.