82. Kennedy, Joseph P., Sr. Typed letter signed (“Joe”), 1 page (7.25 x 10.5 in.; 184 x 267 mm.), on “Joseph P. Kennedy” letterhead, Palm Beach, Florida, 9 February 1961, written to Mrs. Horace Brown (Marion Davies), Beverly Hills, California. Light toning at top; mounting traces on verso.

Joe Kennedy writes to actress Marion Davies three weeks after his son’s inauguration which she attended: “Jack is doing well for the country and for all of us who have such confidence in him, and I know you, too, are proud of him.” 

Kennedy writes in full: 
Dear Marion: Please don’t give it a moment’s thought about Horace calling me. I am really planning to get out to Palm Springs for two or three weeks some time reasonably soon. If the house is available I would love to use it. If not, we will get another some place. But please don’t change any of your plans for me. Second, remember that I promise you that I was at your beck and call any time you wanted on your business matters. That still goes. Jack is doing well for the country and for all of us who have such confidence in him, and I know you, too, are proud of him. Looking forward to seeing you, and with my deep affection to you always. Joe

Seven months earlier, during the July 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles, Joe Kennedy had rented Marion Davies’ estate at 1011 North Beverly Drive, the address to which the President’s father sent this letter to house his sons’ families. One of William Randolph Hearst’s homes, it was later seen as the estate of uncooperative Hollywood producer Jack Woltz and his unfortunate prized racehorse in
The Godfather. The “house” in Palm Springs referred to by Kennedy was Davies’ Mediterranean villa, the Willows. Actress Marion Davies married former naval officer and stuntman Capt. Horace G. Brown, a longtime friend, in Las Vegas on 31 October 1951. Eleven weeks earlier, on 14 August 1951, newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst had died. Davies had had a romantic relationship with Hearst since 1918; he willed 51% of his fortune to his paramour. Davies and Brown were married until her death on 22 September 1961. $1,500 - $2,500

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