Great American novelist, playwright, screenwriter, author of The Dain Curse, Red Harvest, The Maltese Falcon, The Glass Key, and The Thin Man, etc. DS, eight pages, 8.5 x 11, Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. letterhead, January 30, 1942. Agreement between Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. and Hammett, in which Hammett agrees to “write for you a complete screen play of full feature length, suitable for production in motion picture form which shall be based on the play entitled ‘Watch On The Rhine’ by Lillian Hellman. I also agree to write for you a treatment...indicating the manner in which said screen play will be completed.” He goes on to include that the screenplay will be all original and that the treatment will be delivered to Warner Bros. before February 16, 1942, with the screenplay following in two months. For his services, Hammett will be paid $30,000.00. Neatly signed on the last page by Hammett. In fine condition, staple holes to top left and expected light document wear. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
