*Ruth Donnelly Inscribed 5x7 To My Girl and 50 similar items

From the Estate of Clifton Webb is this vintage original 5x7 in. double-weight inscribed photograph by motion picture actress RUTH DONNELLY. She is depicted in a Woman's Air Force uniform with a cap as she proudly salutes. This photo was inscribed in black ink by Ruth Donnelly to her friend, Clifton Webb, thusly: "To my girl friend - May she ever be gay! - Devotedly - Ruth - "Wings Across the Pacific." Ms. Donnelly was obviously a closing and adoring friend of Clifton Webb and her direct references to his being gay in such an open and fun manner make this a very interesting piece of LGBTQ-related history. It is in fine+ condition with one small crease on either side of her shoulders in the background area. There are no pinholes, tears, stains, or other flaws. Provenance: The Estate of Clifton Webb. Ruth Donnelly (May 17, 1896 – November 17, 1982) was an American stage and film actress. According to a 1915 article in “The Day Book,” the young Donnelly was forced to leave Sacred Heart Convent in New Jersey because she repeatedly broke into laughter at inappropriate times. Donnelly began her stage career at the age of 17 in The Quaker Girl. Actress Rose Stahl took the teen under her wing and, after giving her training and a year's experience in the chorus, placed the then 18-year-old in the play Maggie Pepper. Her Broadway debut brought her to the attention of George M. Cohan, who proceeded to cast her in numerous comic-relief roles in such musicals as Going Up (1917). Though she made her first film appearance in 1914, her Hollywood career began in earnest in 1931 and lasted until 1957. In her films she often played the wife of Guy Kibbee (Footlight Parade, Wonder Bar, Merry Wives of Reno, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington). Among her roles was the part of Sister Michael in The Bells of St. Mary's, starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. Years after her final film role, she returned to the stage, understudying Patsy Kelly in the Broadway revival of No No Nanette with old co-star Ruby Keeler, and later appearing in the touring production starring Don Ameche and Evelyn Keyes. Donnelly was married to AC Spark Plug executive Basil Winter de Guichard, from 1932 until his death in 1958.