Walt Disney Autograph Signature on Historically Significant Reference Letter

 

Original, Authentic, Genuine

 

Reference Letter for Actress Narda Onyx

 

Letter sent to screenwriter Jack Morgan, creator of the Moscow Mule cocktail, founder of the Cock and Bull Restaurant.

 

Historically significant letter signed as Walt by Walt Disney, to restaurateur and sportsman Jack Ainsworth Morgan, about up-and-coming actress Narda Onyx

 

Typed letter boldly signed in green ink by Walt Disney as Walt with his paraph as part of his signature, on his personal letterhead with "Walt Disney" in printed type at the top. 26.7 x 18.3. cm (10½" x 7¼"). Dated 1958, the year that Sleeping Beauty was released and the year he began planning EPCOT.


Walt Disney writes that "I have had the pleasure of meeting Narda Onyx on the set and I found her to be a very charming person. From the looks of the film we shot, I would say that Narda is a very talented actress."


Narda Onyx played the part of the famous opera singer Desiree Artot in The Peter Tchaikovsky Story, which was filmed in 1958 and aired on The Magical World of Disney.


Narda Onyx (1931-1991) was an Estonian-born naturalized American film and television actress. After fleeing both Russian and German forces at the end of World War II, she found refuge in the United States and success in Hollywood, appearing in dozens of supporting roles on television and in motion pictures during the 1950s and 1960s.


She played Desiree Artot in The Magical World of Disney in 1959. Other shows in which she appeared include The Beverly Hillbillies, Have Gun - Will Travel, 77 Sunset Strip, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and she played Maria Frankenstein in Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter.


John “Jack” Ainsworth Morgan was a motion picture screenwriter during the 1930s and 1940s, who wrote the scripts for such films as Man of Two Worlds, The Gorgeous Hussy, Espionage, and South of Tahiti.

During World War II, he served in the Army, earning the Legion of Merit; Bronze Star; WWI Victory medal; Polish Golden Cross of Merit; Croix de Guerre; and Order of Ouissam Alaouite.


He also was president of Cock 'n' Bull Products and owner of the Hollywood Cock 'n' Bull Restaurant on the Sunset Strip. In 1942, he co-created the Moscow Mule cocktail, according to Insider Hollywood that year.

The Hollywood Cock 'n' Bull Restaurant, also known as The Cock 'n' Bull Pub, was an iconic establishment located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. 


Here's a brief history of the Cock 'n' Bull Restaurant:

 

Opening: The Cock 'n' Bull was opened in 1920 by Jack Morgan, an Englishman who wanted to bring a taste of British pub culture to Los Angeles. The original location was on Melrose Avenue, but it later moved to its more famous Sunset Strip location.


Popularity and Hollywood Connection: The Cock 'n' Bull quickly became a popular gathering spot for both locals and celebrities. Its proximity to Hollywood studios attracted numerous film industry figures, including actors, writers, and directors. It became known as a place where people could relax, socialize, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.


Moscow Mule: The Cock 'n' Bull is famously associated with the creation of the Moscow Mule cocktail. In 1941, Jack Morgan partnered with John G. Martin, owner of Smirnoff Vodka, and Rudolph Kunett, owner of the Cock 'n' Bull ginger beer, to create a new drink that would help promote their respective products. The result was the Moscow Mule, served in a distinctive copper mug, which gained popularity across the country.


Historical Significance: The Cock 'n' Bull holds historical significance beyond its popularity as a restaurant and bar. In the 1950s, it served as a gathering place for journalists covering the Red Scare and the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) hearings. It became a safe space for intellectuals and artists to discuss political and social issues.


Closure and Legacy: Unfortunately, the Cock 'n' Bull closed its doors in the late 1980s, marking the end of an era. The building was later demolished to make way for new development on the Sunset Strip. Although the original Cock 'n' Bull is no longer in operation, its legacy lives on through its association with the Moscow Mule cocktail and its cultural significance in the history of the Sunset Strip and Hollywood. The Cock 'n' Bull's impact on the local community, as well as its role in the development of the cocktail scene, remains an important part of Los Angeles' history.

 

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