Beschreibung
- Five signed letters typed in green ink on Ray Stark's 10-5/8 inch high by 7-1/4 inch wide "Famous Artist's Corporation Agency" stationery, with the firm's logo embossed in green at the top of creamy white paper. In his first letter of approximately 90 words dated September 27, 1954, Ray Stark, acting as Ben Hecht's agent, writes to him about Frank Rosenberg's deal regarding "Miracle in the Rain". Stark pleads with Hecht to not "be a soft-hearted cuss and let him talk you into anything." He goes on to write that "Frankly, this looks like a lot of crap to me. If he is producing the picture, you should receive one-half, unless he wants to give up his claim to the $10,000." and closes by requesting that Hecht send him "a copy of the wire" in which Rosenberg claims to have told him of the details. Signed "Ray" in green ink.In a retained carbon copy of his letter of the same date addressed to Frank Rosenberg, Stark sets the scene for what he clearly sees unfolding. He writes Rosenberg that "I am still rather confused about the exact details of the sale of Miracle in the Rain to Warner Brothers", and inquires as to whether this is a definite sale or contingent upon the selection of a director. He then goes on to question Rosenberg's deal with Warner: "It is difficult for me to understand how you can be under contract to Warner's as a producer, be assigned MIRACLE IN THE RAIN as your first picture, and yet, as you stated to me this morning, consider the producer deal separate." He then urges that Rosenberg have his agent acquaint him with the details.In a 114-word typed letter to Ben Hecht dated October 5th, Ray Stark indicates that he's been in touch with Frank Rosenberg's agent, Arthur Parks of MCA. Parks claims that Rosenberg's "producing at Warner Brothers is completely separate from the possible sale of the screenplay." Looking to make sure that Ben Hecht is protected in this deal, he writes: "I told Parks that the only thing you and I wanted was the producer's salary he is now receiving to even out the $10,000 that you have received -- and that if it didn't sell by January the we would have a chance to put it together." Signed "Ray" in blue ink.In typed letter of over 140 words to Ben Hecht dated October 20, 1954, Ray Stark inquires about "the Saltzman thing", Harry Saltzman's first film based on Ben Hecht's script "Not for Money" which was contentiously released as "The Iron Petticoat" in 1956. Mentioning that other projects were still "on the fire", he mentions that "Kirk [Douglas] is really, really excited about the play and it would help very much if you could send him any portion of it that you are satisfied with. He has told me that if he liked the play, he would rather do it than any of the films which are on tap for the next several months." Kirk Douglas had starred in the 1954 film "Ulysses", the script of which was co-written by Ben Hecht and subsequently co-produced and starred in the 1955 Western "The Indian Fighter" for which Ben Hecht wrote the screenplay from a story by Robert L. Richards. Here Stark is referring to Hecht's play "Not for Money" which was eventually released as "The Iron Petticoat" starring Bob Hope and Katharine Hepburn. Ray Stark concludes his letter to Hecht which he neglets to sign with a 14 word autograph note penned in blue ink "And please don't get involved privately with the play until you check with me".A retained carbon copy of a letter to Ray Stark from MCA's Arthur L. Park, Jr. acknowledges receipt of Stark's letter and that he, Park, will advise him as soon as the contract for "Miracle in the Rain" is signed. He goes on to say that "Incidentally, Mr. Rosenberg has advised me that he discussed the Warner Bros. deal in detail with Mr. Hecht personally before accepting it and that Mr. Hecht had voiced his complete approval."In a 241 word Typed Letter Signed dated October 25, 1954, Ray Stark writes to Ben Hecht expressing his excitement at talking with him "this morning about the play.".
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