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JAMES M. CAIN Typed Letter Signed, Author of: The Postman Always Rings Twice

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:600.00 - 900.00 USD
JAMES M. CAIN Typed Letter Signed, Author of: The Postman Always Rings Twice
Autographs
Superb Content Author James Cain Typed Letter Signed
JAMES M. CAIN (1892-1977). American Journalist and Author of “Mildred Pierce” and “The Postman Always Rings Twice.”
April 20, 1952-Dated, Typed Letter Signed, “Jim” by James Cain, from Hyattsville, MD., 1 page, upon Cain’s personal letterhead stationary, measuring 8.5” x 11”, Choice Extremely Fine. James Cain believes that Hollywood is planning to re-make his play, “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” into a new film starring Marilyn Monroe. Written to his agent, Edgar Carter in the office of H.N. Swanson, Inc., of Hollywood, Calif.. Cain writes, in full:

"Dear Eddie: -- My play, the Postman Always Rings Twice, was written, as I no doubt have told you, after a talk with Sam Marx, as a means of by-passing the Hays office, as we thought, if a play passes, what is all the shooting fer about the picture? But when a producer wanted it, the Legal Department of Metro knew eth not what the Scenario Department dideth, and claimed 113 royalty. Then Knopf, though he had sold his dramatic rights under the original contracts with Metro, claimed his 1/4 lb. of flesh, and as only about $97 was involved and I was in business with him willy-nilly, I had Morris pay it. That is how it stands now, a dreary tangle if it were ever reopened.

I therefore suggest you give Vi/an an amiable brushoff, for these additional reasons: a) I have only one copy, and the trouble and expense of 'finding it and having it typed will be inconvenient for me now; b) his letter, as well as the practicalities of the threat, mean, inevitably, changes which I have no time for; c) the return, in publicity or money, will be utterly trifling; d) the remote possibility that he is a front man, a stalking horse, for Metro, and that promotion plans are afoot, with this play a vehicle, perhaps even on Broadway, for Miss Monroe, in which case real dough may be obtainable, and the proper tactic, I would think, would be to lie doggo and make them lead to us. Because, though they own dramatic rights, I own the play script. I happen to know they have mimeographed copies of it, and if he comes up with one, we'll know where he got it. -- Thanks and let me know what breaks. -- Yours, - (Signed) Jim". --- Cain then boldly adds in pen, in the margin: “Do you have a copy?”

At the time this letter was written, “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” a story about a drifter and his involvement with the diabolical wife of a restaurant owner, had already had two film incarnations: a 1942 Italian version, and a 1946 Hollywood version starring Lana Turner and John Garfield. The explicit content of the novel - sex, alcohol and murder - took twelve years to rework into a screenplay tame enough to comply with the Hays Production Code office. As such, audiences were still shocked when it seemed clear to them that the handsome John Garfield, in a passionate kissing scene with Lana Turner, used more than just his lips! Though Cain here believes that "plans are afoot", no film or play based on his story was ever produced for Marilyn Monroe, then the brightest rising star in Hollywood. Truly Excellent content!