Hardbound book titled; "Dear Audience," signed and inscribed inside in blue ballpoint ink, " To Lawrence- with the warm affection of a long friendship, Blanche 1969". Dust jacket included. Light wear to jacket, otherwise the book is in good condition. Copyright 1959. (1887-1974) Blanche Yurka was a celebrated American stage and film actress and director. Yurka, an opera singer, with minor roles at the Metropolitan Opera, was born Blanch Jurka. She later became a stage actress, making her Broadway debut in 1906 and established herself as a character actor of the classical stage, also appearing in several films of the 1930s and 1940s. In addition to her many stage roles, which included Queen Gertrude opposite John Barrymore's Hamlet, she was an occasional director and playwright. She remained active in theater and film until the late 1960s. Her most famous film role was Madame Defarge in MGM's version of A Tale of Two Cities (1935), but she was also the compassionate aunt in The Song of Bernadette (1943). Another memorable role was as Zachary Scott's widowed mother in The Southerner (1945).Comes with a full Letter of Authenticity from Todd Mueller Authentics.