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Lot 67
STEINBECK'S WORKING DRAFT OF THE ZAPATA SCREENPLAY. STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Mimeographed Manuscript with Annotations, "Zapata / Screenplay by John Steinbeck" marked second revised screenplay, 132 pp, 4to, n.p., January 24, 1951, bound with brads and housed in plain blue wrappers with mimeo text to upper cover, annotations by Steinbeck in blue ink throughout,
25 October 2023, 14:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$5,120 inc. premium
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STEINBECK'S WORKING DRAFT OF THE ZAPATA SCREENPLAY.
STEINBECK, JOHN. 1902-1968. Mimeographed Manuscript with Annotations, "Zapata / Screenplay by John Steinbeck" marked second revised screenplay, 132 pp, 4to, n.p., January 24, 1951, bound with brads and housed in plain blue wrappers with mimeo text to upper cover, annotations by Steinbeck in blue ink throughout, interior with light thumbsoiling but otherwise fine, covers toned, worn at extremities with chipping and some loss.
Steinbeck wrote the screenplay for Viva, Zapata! partially based on Edgcumb Pinchon's 1941 book, Zapata the Unconquerable. Director Elia Kazan had nurtured the idea of a film about the life of Emiliano Zapata since 1944, and in 1950 Steinbeck took a first pass at the story. Both men were eager to film in Mexico and in late 1950, the two traveled to meet cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, a friend of Steinbeck's from the making of the film version of The Pearl. Steinbeck thought that connecting with Figueroa could smooth the way for the production, but once they mentioned their subject matter, Figueroa resisted. In his memoir, Kazan recorded Figueroa's response: "On any other subject ... there would be no limit to what we could do to help you here. But Emiliano is the hero of every forward-looking patriot here. For instance, imagine if we went to your state of Illinois with a Mexican actor and director and made the story of American Lincoln, what would you think" (Kazan 711-712)? Kazan and Steinbeck thought that would be a great idea, but their enthusiasm did not sway Figueroa and the Mexican government. Ultimately, the film, starring Marlon Brando as Zapata, was shot in and around the American west.
This draft is marked second revised screenplay and dated January 24, 1951, submitted after Steinbeck and Kazan's trip to Mexico. Steinbeck has written "Elia Kazan / Fox Pictures" in ink on the upper cover and makes various edits internally to the dialogue and scenic notes. The film went into production in May of 1951 as Steinbeck was beginning work on his magnum opus, East of Eden.
Steinbeck wrote the screenplay for Viva, Zapata! partially based on Edgcumb Pinchon's 1941 book, Zapata the Unconquerable. Director Elia Kazan had nurtured the idea of a film about the life of Emiliano Zapata since 1944, and in 1950 Steinbeck took a first pass at the story. Both men were eager to film in Mexico and in late 1950, the two traveled to meet cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa, a friend of Steinbeck's from the making of the film version of The Pearl. Steinbeck thought that connecting with Figueroa could smooth the way for the production, but once they mentioned their subject matter, Figueroa resisted. In his memoir, Kazan recorded Figueroa's response: "On any other subject ... there would be no limit to what we could do to help you here. But Emiliano is the hero of every forward-looking patriot here. For instance, imagine if we went to your state of Illinois with a Mexican actor and director and made the story of American Lincoln, what would you think" (Kazan 711-712)? Kazan and Steinbeck thought that would be a great idea, but their enthusiasm did not sway Figueroa and the Mexican government. Ultimately, the film, starring Marlon Brando as Zapata, was shot in and around the American west.
This draft is marked second revised screenplay and dated January 24, 1951, submitted after Steinbeck and Kazan's trip to Mexico. Steinbeck has written "Elia Kazan / Fox Pictures" in ink on the upper cover and makes various edits internally to the dialogue and scenic notes. The film went into production in May of 1951 as Steinbeck was beginning work on his magnum opus, East of Eden.