16465

Lost Horizon (Columbia, 1937).

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:7,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
Lost Horizon (Columbia, 1937).
<B>Lost Horizon (Columbia, 1937). </B></I> Leather Bound Script (9" X 11"). James Hilton is regarded as one of the Twentieth Century's greatest authors. His extensive resume includes such classic works as "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" (1934), a Best Original Screenplay Oscar for "Mrs. Miniver" (1942), and, of course, the unforgettable "Lost Horizon" (1933), which proposes a perfect community hidden deep within the uncharted Himalayas. So profound was the impact of this mythical land on our collective psyche that the name quickly entered our popular parlance: Shangri-La (so ingrained, in fact, that Franklin Delano Roosevelt named his Presidential retreat, now known as Camp David, after Hilton's fabled region). An instant success, selling millions of copies upon its initial release, the book was considered so important that it was chosen to be the first-ever novel released in paperback, by Ballantine in 1939. It was also, not surprisingly, optioned as a movie shortly after publication. Director Frank Capra, riding high during his mid-'30s hot streak from such films as "It Happened One Night" (1934) and "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936), spared no expense in creating Hilton's paradise onscreen, seriously taxing both the coffers of Columbia Pictures, and the patience of movie mogul Harry Cohn, in the process. During the early stages of production, James Hilton was called in by screenwriter Robert Riskin and Capra to help with some of the dialogue, particularly that of the High Lama, which was particularly problematic, as it was excessively long, over-written and stodgy. The piece offered here affords a unique look into the creative process behind this classic film. This is James Hilton's personal copy of the script, stamped "Final Draft, March 23, 1936," on the cover (the film would premiere on March 2, 1937). Annotated in the author's hand, it is clear that Hilton had a profound effect on the final version of this film (an intriguing note, written in blue pen, presumably in Hilton's hand, on the reverse of page 81, reads, "add waterfall and swimming pool scenes"). In a letter to Riskin on Chateau Marmont stationary dated April 29, 1936 (bound into the first page of the script), Hilton comments, " You will see that I have gone over the Lama speeches and have, at any rate, shortened them considerably. I hope you'll feel I have not destroyed their meaning or compressed too tightly, but I do think that they are technically the most difficult spot in the picture." Hilton's changes were then incorporated into revised pages, which can be seen adhered facing the page upon which his corrections appear. Additionally, several pages of further revisions, one labeled, "Revisions 'Lost Horizon'" and dated 3/13/36 and 4/13/36 on yellow paper, and two sets of revisions on onionskin, the first labeled "Robert Riskin, May 22, 1936," the second labeled "Robert Riskin, June 2, 1936." The Chateau Marmont letter also discusses the problems faced in casting the Lama. Although the role would eventually go to veteran actor Sam Jaffe, Hilton suggests here, "In the last resort it might almost become advisable to choose somebody for voice alone and if his appearance was not helpful to the picture, heighten the mystery, so to speak, by keeping him entirely invisible or else show merely his shadow or something like that." The letter, which also requests a script signed by Riskin and Capra, is boldly signed in blue ink at the bottom of the sheet. The script bears olive green paper covers, the front of which is stamped "Columbia No. 21", with "Lost Horizon" written in pencil below that. Inside the cover, Hilton has written, "For Robert Riskin, with gratitude (even an author's!) for a really grand job! From James Hilton, April 29, 1936." Below Hilton's signature, stars Ronald Coleman and Jane Wyatt have also signed. The entire presentation has been bound in black leather, with marbleized end papers. The pages are white and supple, and show little sign of aging. All in all, a very attractive presentation of an historically significant artifact. Very Fine+. <BR><BR><B>Important notice:</B> Heritage usually auctions material at the rate of 200-250 lots per hour. On some occasions eBay Live bid software or the Internet may not be able to keep up with the pace of the auction. We recommend placing a realistic absentee bid now as insurance to avoid disappointment. 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