NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER)
0.00USD+ applicable fees & taxes.
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2003 Nov 09 @ 13:00UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT
<b>364. BASIL RATHBONE</b> (1892 - 1967) English stage and film actor, remembered for his superlative performance as Sherlock Holmes opposite Nigel Bruce's Dr. Watson. A fine and important grouping of material relative to the production of Basil Rathbone's only appearance as Sherlock Holmes on stage. The group includes a fine content A.L.S. "<i>Basil</i>" 1p. 4to., Washington, Sept. 22, 1952 to producer Gilbert Miller asking him if he would <i>"...Consider producing our Sherlock Holmes play on your return? I have over $50,000 subscribed, & may reasonably expect another $40,000 within 10 days. I have made some strange contacts, which I will tell you bout when I see you - The Garment District & a `Diamond King! Ouida [Rathbone, his wife] has, this summer, done some very constructive work - minor re-writes & major cuts. The play is in excellent shape to go into rehearsal. A re-association with you would, for me, be a happy event. Your impeccable good taste & theatre knowledge are second to none. A fruitless & endless series of `talks' with `The Guild' about the play from May to Aug confirms various reports that they are the procrastinators of all time! I don't want to move any further with the Holmes play until I know what prospects there are of your producing it...</i>". Together with an second A.L.S. "<i>Basil</i>" 1p. 4to., [New York, n.d.] to Gilbert Miller enclosing <i>"...The revised script [not present] of Sherlock Homes. I think the work Ouida has done on it greatly helps...May we have your further reaction as soon as possible...</i>". The lot also includes several responses to Rathbone, including a T.L.S. by producer <b>MORTON GOTTLIEB</b> to Gilbert Miller regarding a phone call from Rathbone the same day as Rathbone's initial letter to Miller, 1p. 8vo., New York, Sept. 22, 1952. In part: <i>"...Rathbone just phoned and told me that he is very anxious to go ahead with SHERLOCK HOLMES. He has $65,000 raised against the necessary $100,000...He would like to do the play this season with you presenting him and without you having the burden of the investment. He wants to do the play in America first, as it's `inconvenient for him to go to London'...</i>". Along with three typed (unsigned) copies of letter from Miller to Rathbone. The first, dated Sept. 25, 1952, was noncommittal: "<i>...If you are serious about wanting me to produce Sherlock Holmes, I wish you would send me the revised manuscript, as I feel that Ouida's original manuscript needed considerable cutting and revision...</i>". In another communication from Oct. 9, 1952, Miller tells Rathbone that he "<i>...Will be interested to see the fourth Ouida version of Sherlock Holmes. I am also interested to hear that you have so much capital subscribed. I still feel that it would be a wonderful thing to put it on in London first, which I feel would help create a deal of atmosphere - and with the casting. However, this is a matter we can discuss on my return...</i>". Apparently the revisions were not satisfactory for Miller, who did not end up presenting or producing the play. His instincts to stay away from the project were prophetic in the end: Rathbone contracted Broadway press representative Bill Doll to produce the play, which opened on Oct. 30, 1953 only to close after just three performances on Oct. 31. This was Doll's only Broadway production credit; for obvious reasons he decided to remain in presswork to the end of his career. This must have been a tremendous disappointment for Rathbone, as this was to be part of a comeback for the aging actor. Usual folds, a few staple holes. Six pieces. <b>$700-900</b>
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