In the Fall of 1997, I decided to incorporate my ‘talent’ and interest in collecting autographs into some early Christmas shopping for my Grandpa Murphy. In those days, we had a family gift exchange which was determined by drawing names out of a bowl. So I had to make sure the fix was in when it came time to draw at Thanksgiving. I’m not sure who I drew, but I made sure that I ended up with Grandpa. The object was to get Grandpa a signed photos of one his favorite child actresses Deanna Durbin, so someone in the family kinded traded names with me.
I purchased a couple identical photos of Ms. Durbin and shipped them off to her home in Paris, France, on October 30, 1997. But the key was that I sent a glowing testimony to how much my Grandpa and I loved her films, and how we often spent Saturday afternoons watching them together. It was the perfect white lie. In truth I have never to this day seen a single Deanna Durbin film. Not that I am proud of it. Nor am I proud of the lie.
It wouldn’t have made much difference to me as to the means by which I acquired the signature, had it not been for the very nice note that she sent to me by air mail, separate from the photos. The nice letter made me a feel a little bit guilty, but of course I had merely turned on my standard sweet-talking charm as I made my appeal for a signature, and this obviously made Deanna Durbin happy as well.
The photos showed up shortly afterward – on December 1. She had signed both 8×10 photos that I has sent, as well as enclosing a small signed photo for both my Grandpa and me (mine seen at the top of the posting). The ruse has worked brilliantly, and when I presented him with this gift of two signed and personalized photos (along with a photocopy of the letter) on Christmas Day at Bev and Ed’s house, he was so touched that it nearly moved him to tears.
So I guess I can safely say that all was well that ended well. And one day, I still vow to watch some of Deanna Durbin’s movies, especially after the kindness she showed in making this Christmas wish come true.
Me and Grandpa with his gift on Christmas Day 1997
Autographs of 1997 will continue…
Wow…I have to be honest, I admire your tenacity, but this is the first time ever that I’ve read a posting of yours and come away a bit disappointed in your choice of actions. It is a wonderful gift though – I can’t deny that.
Peter
January 13th, 2009
Really? The FIRST?? 🙂 …and I’m sure it won’t be the last!
Brad
January 13th, 2009
You were fortunate to receive a “clean” signature. The photo she sent me, many years earlier, is signed “Deanna Durbin David” which was her married name. Probably she stopped using her married name on autographs after her husband died.
Bill
January 13th, 2009
Yet another image shattered!!!
Bob
January 18th, 2009
Just watched my first Deanna Durbin movie…and it was the one in the picture above with Leopold Stokowski, “One Hundred Men and a Girl”
Brad
October 13th, 2010
Brad, we are playing IT STARTED WITH EVE this Friday night 4/13 @ 7:30pm for free at the Library Of Congress Packard campus. You should see it any way you can it’s great fun!
Larry Smith
April 12th, 2012
Sadly, it appears that the lovely Deanna Durbin passed away a few days ago. She was such a talented performer.
Dave Chasteen
May 1st, 2013