TLS signed “Dutch,” two pages, 8.5 x 11, January 27, 1962. Letter to literary agent H. N. Swanson, in part: "It's been a while so I'd better identify myself first. You sold movie rights to two of my stories a few years ago: The Tall T and 3:10 to Yuma; and I think maybe a Post story of mine that ended up on the Schlitz Playhouse. I've been putting off this kind of a letter, thinking I could make enough writing for the print medium. But an article in the January 29 issue of Newsweek pushed me into it. According to the article, David Dortort, producer of 'Bonanza,' claims he's making 'an exhaustive effort to uncover new writers'…The words that stirred me were: 'I get a little tired of depending on the old Hollywood pool.' I have often wondered myself why they keep using the old Hollywood pool. Aside from the fact they've learned how to write in motion picture script format. I remember reading somewhere that Thomas Thompson knocked on doors for three months trying to get a job as a writer on a Western TV series. A guy who had sold 264 stories before he finally hit the Post. (Which is an awful lot of sticktoitiveness.) But the reason he was turned down for three months, I'm sure, was because of his lack of experience. Not because he is a very mediocre writer. So, if Dortort and others are tired of the pool and want something fresh, and if the writer doesn't have to have had too much experience or too many credits, maybe we can give him something. I've had 5 Western books published…and 31 shorts…But for the past year I've been writing movie scripts for Encyclopedia Britannica Films, produced by a local guy…I think I have learned how to make a script move, how to tell a story in pictures with a minimum of talk. And when the talk comes (in Westerns, specifically) it's authentic…You can be very clean and economical and move a story with little effort if you have the right tone and sound. I think I could do about one a month for 'Bonanza' if the going rate is good enough." In fine condition, with staple holes to the upper left corner.
This item is Pre-Certified by Beckett
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
