LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Apr Books, Manuscripts & Autographs #658  / 

25352

Ernest Hemingway contract re: A Farewell to Arms

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Ernest Hemingway contract re: A Farewell to Arms
<B>Ernest Hemingway Approves Dramatization of <I>A Farewell to Arms</B></I>.</B></I> Partly Printed Draft Contract Signed: "<I>E.H.</B></I>" at top of first page beneath "<I>The terms of the following contract are hereby approved.</B></I>" 15 pages, 8" x 13", front and verso. New York, December 13, 1929. Agreement between A. H. Woods (referred to as "Manager") and Lawrence (sic, Laurence) Stallings (referred to as "Author"). In part: "<I>Whereas, the Author is dramatizing and will be the Author and/or Proprietor of a certain play or dramatic composition provisionally entitled 'A Farewell to Arms,' founded on a novel written and controlled by Ernest Hemingway entitled 'A Farwell sic to Arms'...The Author hereby leases to the Manager the sole and exclusive right of presentation on the regular speaking stage in the United States of America and Dominion of Canada of the play now entitled 'A Farewell to Arms'...The Manager agrees to announce the name of both Laurence Stallings and Ernest Hemingway in all advertising matter in which the name of the Manager appears, in the following manner: 'A Farewell to Arms'/by/Laurence Stallings/Based on a Novel written by/Ernest Hemingway'...The Dramatist Laurence Stallings and the Author Ernest Hemingway do hereby designate the American Play Company, Inc. and Paul Reynolds as their agents...."</B></I> Royalties based on box-office receipts are listed as are payments from rights including radio and motion picture rights "<I>silent and/or sound</B></I>". The last 11 pages of the contract is the standard agreement between the Dramatists' Guild and the Manager. <BR><BR>Laurence Stallings' adaptation of "A Farewell to Arms," produced by A.H. Woods, opened at the National Theatre in New York on September 22, 1930, starring Elissa Landi and Glenn Anders. It closed after 24 performances. The film version of "A Farewell to Arms" opened on December 8, 1932. Starring Helen Hayes and GaryCooper, it was nominated for the 1934 Academy Award for Best Picture, winning two Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Sound. Hemingway was, of course, credited with writing the novel but Stallings was not credited for writing the play; Benjamin Glazer and Oliver H.P. Garrett received credit for the screenplay. Since this contract was not signed by Woods or Stallings, it was most probably a draft contract for Hemingway's approval before the actual contract was agreed to. Included is a four page, 6.75" x 9", program for the Sunday, October 22, 1950, radio broadcast of "The Theatre Guild on the Air" on NBC, sponsored by U.S. Steel, presenting "'A Farewell to Arms' by Ernest Hemingway," starring Joan Fontaine and Humphrey Bogart. Again, Stallings name is not listed, even though the 1929 draft contract offered here, approved by Hemingway, specifically mentions motion picture and radio rights. Two items. Fine condition.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Miscellaneous Collectibles, Smal (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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