Search Results: Screwball Comedy from Royal Books, Inc.

Beverly Hills, CA: United Artists, 1950. Vintage black-and-white still photograph from a re-release (presumed) of the 1950 film. Wanda Hendrix plays a WAVE officer endlessly pursued by ex-airman Edmond O'Brien (among others). However, she only has eyes for her boyfriend Dick Erdman, who is on the lam from vengeful millionaire Rudy Vallee. 8 x 10 inches. Very Good plus, several creases, a few tiny tears, annotations in manuscript pencil on the verso.

Los Angeles: Twentieth Century-Fox, 1949. Vintage black and white still photograph from the 1949 film, a candid shot of Grable and Sturges on the set. Rubber stamped with the date DEC 1948 (the film opened in May 1949), and with a snipe on the verso reading: "Betty Grable, dirty face and all, stands with producer-director Preston Sturges between shooting scenes for technicolor comedy, 'The Beautiful Blonde From Bashful Bend'." 8 x 10 inches. Near Fine.

Culver City, CA: RKO Radio Pictures, 1940. Final script for the 1941 screwball comedy film, with "286" in manuscript pencil to the top right of the front wrapper. Laid in is a ribbon copy typescript listing the five lead actors on RKO letterhead. A cantankerous tycoon goes undercover as a shoe clerk at his own New York department store in order to identify labor agitators, but finds himself befriending the workers and becoming sympathetic to their needs. A key film in the American screwball comedy cycle, with proletarian elements deftly woven into a hilarious and whip-smart story. Nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Charles Coburn. Pink titled wrappers, rubber-stamped FINAL SCRIPT on the front wrapper, rubber-stamped copy No. 60, dated November 26, 1940, with credits for screenwriter Norman Krasna. Distribution page integral with title page, with receipt removed, dated 11/26/40, noted as FINAL. 163 leaves, with last page of text numbered 158.… Read More

N.p.: N.p., 1937. Vintage double weight reference photograph of director Mitchell Leisen demonstrating how to kiss Jean Arthur while Ray Milland looks on, from the 1937 film. Based on the 1937 short story by Vera Caspary. During the Great Depression, obscenely wealthy baker J.B. Ball (Edward Arnold), angered at his wife's (Mary Nash) spending, throws her very expensive sable coat off the roof, where it lands on the head of stenographer Mary Smith (Arthur), leading to a life-altering chain of events. Set in New York City. 10 x 8 inches. Some edgewear, else Near Fine. Byrge and Miller, The Screwball Comedy Films, A History and Filmography: 1934-1942.

N.p.: N.p., 1937. Small archive of letters from the Hal Roach Studios archive, all relating to the promotion of the 1937 film. 11 letters in all, dated throughout 1937. Very nice content, 3 of which are address to the Hal Roach Studios, having to do with the promotion of Constance Bennett in the film. Noteworthy among these are letters from George Hurrell (regarding his photographs of Miss Bennett), radio personality Terry Donovan, and Lord & Thomas advertising. The remaining 8 letters are all office carbons of letters from Roach relating to advertising tie-ins (Wonder Bread), invitations to the set, lunches with the press (Associated Press), the Los Angeles Police Department, distributors, and a tie-in with the Golden Jubilee. All letters 8.5 x 11 inches, typescript and carbon typescript, non-carbon letters all on original letterhead. Very Good or better overall, pages supple.

Los Angeles: April Fools Productions, 1977. First Draft script for the 1978 film. Barbara Eden plays a quirky, resourceful cosmetic saleswoman Stella Johnson who, after her young daughter is singled out by the nosey PTA for her mother's liberal lifestyle, decides to take on the organization using any means necessary, with comedic results. Basis for the 1981 television series of the same name, also starring Barbara Eden. Set in Harper Valley, shot on location in Lebanon, Ohio. Green untitled wrappers. Title page present, dated 08/12/77, noted as first draft, with credits for screenwriters George Edwards and Barry Schneider. 116 leaves, with last page of text numbered 114. Xerographically duplicated. Pages Fine, wrapper Fine bound with three gold brads.

N.p.: N.p., 1946. Vintage borderless reference photograph of Jean-Pierre Aumont and Mikhail Rasumny from the 1946 film, with two editorial annotations in manuscript wax pencil and ink on the recto, and a "Silver Screen Archives" provenance stamp on the verso. A remake of the 1940 French film "Battement de cœur," directed by Henri Decoin, and starring Danielle Darrieux and Claude Dauphin. Ginger Rogers stars as the young reform school runaway, Arlette, who joins a pickpocket academy in Paris and ends up falling in love with the handsome diplomat she's been tasked to steal from, played by Aumont. 10 x 8 inches. Near Fine. Byrge and Miller, The Screwball Comedy Films: A History and Filmography 1934-1942.

Beverly Hills, CA: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [MGM], 1939. Vintage publicity photograph of James Stewart and Claudette Colbert from the 1939 film. Printed mimeo snipe and MGM label on the verso. From the archive of film historian and author Joel Finler. One of Ben Hecht's most brilliant and underrated screenplays. A novice private eye is unjustly fingered alongside his wealthy client in a murder case. Colbert's first film for MGM. 9.25 x 7.25 inches. Very Good plus, lightly age toned.

Hollywood: Paramount Pictures, 1941. Vintage double weight studio still photograph of hapless Henry Fonda and beguiling Barbara Stanwyck from the 1941 film. Rubber stamp on the verso, dated December 4, 1940, indicating that Hollywood Advisory Council (i.e., Hayes Office) has approved the photo as not being scandalous. 8 x 10 inches. Fine. National Film Registry. Criterion Collection 103.

Hollywood: Paramount Pictures, 1941. Single weight borderless photograph of director Preston Sturges and Barbara Stanwyck working on the set of "The Lady Eve" in 1941. Rubber stamp crediting Paramount photographer G.E. Richardson on the verso, with a corresponding date stamp of April 7, 1941, and a mimeo snipe printed on same describing the scene. 9.5 x 7.5 inches. Fine. National Film Registry. Criterion Collection 103.

Los Angeles: Twentieth Century-Fox, 1952. Vintage studio still photograph from the 1952 film, showing a group of swimmers lounging beside a pool, checking out Marilyn Monroe-and with Cary Grant yelling to her from the top of a diving board. A serious-minded research chemist creates an elixir that compels its user to act like a zany, fun-loving adolescent. The potion is accidentally dumped into his office water cooler, and hijinks ensue. 10 x 8 inches. Near Fine. Rosenbaum 1000.

Los Angeles: Twentieth Century-Fox, 1952. Vintage studio still photograph from the 1952 film, showing actor Cary Grant. Mimeo snipe on the verso, along with a Twentieth Century-Fox stamp. A serious-minded research chemist creates an elixir that compels its user to act like a zany, fun-loving adolescent. The potion is accidentally dumped into his office water cooler, and hijinks ensue. 8 x 10 inches. Near Fine. Rosenbaum 1000.

Universal City: Universal Pictures, 1936. Collection of 14 vintage studio still photographs from the 1936 film, intended for use by advertisers. Based on the 1935 novel by Eric Hatch. A zany New York socialite hires Godfrey, a homeless man she meets on the street, to be her family butler-but soon discovers there's more to Godfrey than meets the eye. A definitive classic of the screwball genre which also manages to present an eloquent commentary on class and love in Depression-era America. Set in New York. 10 x 8 inches. Very Good plus overall. National Film Registry. Criterion Collection 114. Ebert III.

Los Angeles: Paramount Pictures, 1942. Vintage photograph of Preston Sturges adjusting Claudette Colbert's outfit (made of men's pajamas and a pullman blanket) on the set of the 1942 film. Studio label affixed to bottom margin of recto with ambiguous initials and "May 30" written in manuscript ink. Mimeo snipe on verso. In the minds of some critics, Sturges closed out the screwball comedy era with a bang in this breakneck venture, which had dialogue flying back and forth at a speed that was radical even by Sturges' standards. 8 x 10 inches. Very Good with some creasing and edgewear. Criterion Collection 742. Rosenbaum 1000. Byrge & Miller, The Screwball Comedy Films: A History and Filmography (1934-1942).

Hollywood: Paramount Pictures, 1945. Post-production Title List for Foreign Language Versions script for the 1944 film. The popular screen team of Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray stars in this wartime farce. MacMurray is an army pilot who develops engine trouble during a vital mission. Thinking he's about to die, MacMurray radios back his undying affection for his dog "Piggy." But the radio reception is fuzzy, and it is assumed that he has said "Peggy"-which happens to be the character name of Colbert, who intercepts the message. MacMurray survives the plane crash, whereupon he is whisked back home into the arms of Peggy, which is not to the liking of Peggy's gormless fiance (Gil Lamb). Tall white titled wrappers, dated March 28, 1945. Title page integral with the front wrapper, as issued. Mimeograph duplication. Near Fine.

Los Angeles: Paramount Pictures, 1938. Draft script for the 1938 film. Paramount "File Copy" and "Master File" stamps on front wrapper. Script divided into sequences, as was customary for the period. Harebrained comedy wherein international golf champion Richard "Ricky" Carrington Jr. (Ray Milland) returns home to New York with his new Parisian wife Julie (Olympe Bradna) only to find his parents arranged a financially motivated marriage for him to his childhood friend, the wealthy heiress Auriol Marsden (Irene Hervey). Self wrappers, front wrapper dated August 16, 1938, rubber-stamped production No. 1569. 150 leaves, with last page of text numbered J-10. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, saddle-stapled with two staples. Byrge and Miller, The Screwball Comedy Films.

N.p.: N.p., 1942. Vintage reference photograph of actors Cary Grant, Ronald Colman, and Jean Arthur with director George Stevens on the set of the 1942 film. Provenance label affixed to the verso. A political activist is framed when a lumber mill burns down and a man is killed. Escaping prison, he hides out in the house of a former schoolmate (and sweetheart(, currently being rented to a law professor. A romantic triangle soon develops. Nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Screenplay. Set in the fictional town of Lochester, New England. 8 x 10 inches. Near Fine, lightly creased at the bottom left edge. Byrge & Miller, The Screwball Comedy Films: A History and Filmography (1934-1942).

N.p.: N.p., 1947. Treatment script for the 1947 film, here under the working title "That Wonderful Urge." Accompanying the film are several production documents, including multiple sets of revision pages and two interdepartmental typed notes on Twentieth Century-Fox letterhead. A very interesting piece of Hollywood history: the script here reads as a remake of the 1940 film, "He Married His Wife" (right down to the names of the characters), but one whose plot was later altered to be the one we know today, about a newspaperman and his heiress. Light blue titled wrappers, dated July 7, 1947, with credits for screenwriter Lynn Starling. Title page integral with the front wrapper, as issued. 22 leaves, with last page of text numbered 20. Mimeograph duplication on onionskin stock, rectos only. Pages Fine, wrapper Very Good plus, bound internally with two gold brads.

New York: Robert M McBride, 1926. Second printing. INSCRIBED by the author to Roland Young, who played Cosmo Topper in the legendary 1937 screwball comedy (as well as its two sequels): "To Roland Young: The most disarming "gentleman Johnnie" that ever advanced the lines of G.B.S. [George Bernard Shaw]. From Thorne Smith." Roland Young's bookplate is opposite the inscription on the front pastedown. Also included is a first edition of the pamphleted book, "Thorne Smith: His Life and Times," which includes an interview with Thorne Smith conducted by Roland Young. Jacket is bright, with a few short closed tears and some shallow creasing at the spine ends. Not only the rarest of Thorne Smith's widely sought-after comedies, but also the best imaginable association. In a red quarter-leather clamshell box, with raised bands and gilt titles.

Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers, 1971. Revised Final script for the 1972 film. An engaged, mild-mannered musicologist is in San Francisco at a convention, competing for a research grant, when he meets an exceedingly unusual woman who immediately decides she's fallen head-over-heels in love with him. A wildly successful screwball sendup, the highest grossing film ever directed by Peter Bogdanovich. Set and shot on location in San Francisco. Goldenrod titled wrappers, noted as REV. FINAL on the front wrapper, rubber-stamped production No. 152, dated August 1, 1971. Distribution page present, with receipt intact. Title page present, dated 8/1/71, noted as Revised, with credits for screenwriter Buck Henry and story credits for David Newman, Robert Benton, and Peter Bogdanovich. Mimeograph duplication on blue stock, rectos only. 156 leaves, with last page of text numbered 154. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Very Good, bound internally with two gold brads.