Hopper (Hedda)

Typed letter signed ('Hedda Hopper') to Mr Wagner, reading "You asked me the question: Can Ingrid Bergman come back to pictures? If she gets a good one, yes. She's an actress, and a good one. I can't quite approve of what she did, but I do admire her honesty. When you see what goes on with other members of the motion picture industry, I think Ingrid should be forgiven", one page, light folding marks, a couple of ink stains, tall 4to, Hollywood, California, 4 September 1951.

Hopper had supported Bergman's career throughout the 1940s but was enraged when Bergman lied to her about being pregnant with married director Roberto Rossellini's baby. Hopper had believed Bergman when the actress had denied being pregnant and had printed a fervent repudiation of the rumour in 1949. However, Bergman was indeed pregnant, and the news was leaked to Hopper's arch-rival Louella Parsons, who gained the scoop. Seeking revenge, Hopper launched a PR campaign decrying Bergman for being pregnant from an adulterous affair with a married man.