TLS, signed “Errol” in pencil and further initialed, with several pencil underlinings and a handwritten postscript, four pages, 6.25 x 8.5, Hotel Rancho letterhead, June 18, 1950. A fascinating and highly unusual letter from the dashing leading man in his short-lived role as producer. Flynn’s relationship with the recipient, William Marshall, began a decade earlier when the two costarred in Michael Curtiz’ Santa Fe Trail (1950). Just months before this letter was written, Flynn and Marshall teamed up to form a production company, Silver Productions. After the release of a mere handful of films, none of which was successful, the partnership was dissolved amid a bitter legal battle. The present letter relates to the preproduction stage of the second film from the Flynn/Marshall partnership, The Adventures of Captain Fabian [here called The Bargain], released in 1951. That the film—and the partnership—was off to a rocky start is evident from the script problems Flynn details and his sometimes testy tone. After discussing a number of changes already made to the script, to which he adds, “I will not go into more detail, since I know you can read,” Flynn enumerates several problems that still remain. In part: “Now this is what I propose to do to further improve the script and get it into the kind of condition I had always wanted. . . . To obviate the sudden discovery that there is gunpowder aboard the ship at the end of the story, I must devise a way to establish this fact early [underlined in pencil] in the story and I propose to do so early. . . . In many instances, the demands of the Breen Office must be complied with . . . this is not at all easy, and trouble should be anticipated now [underlined] with this organization—not later. . . . Concerning the title—Warners have apparently full and complete rights. I am not certain, but I think they own a book by Rex Beach entitled, ‘The Bargain,’ so it must therefore be changed.” After mentioning problems with screenwriters, Flynn ends the main body of the letter: “Under separate cover, I am writing you today another letter concerning our very unsatisfactory business relations.” On a friendlier, tongue-in-cheek tone, he types a page-long postscript, noting, in part: “By a quirk of circumstance, I happen to be distantly related to one of the foremost Chiefs of the Navajo tribe of New Mexico. After many and long hours—sometimes as much as twenty a day—spent on the reservation with the Chief, I can tell you this: I believe I am on the verge of making a deal such as you will hardly credit, viz. exclusive distribution rights of the entire Indian population of the United States may be accorded Flynn-Marshall! Now, Bill, please do not treat this lightly. At the increased birthrate of our red brothers, those ardent picture-goers, this is no paltry potential, especially since we intend to be in business a long time.” Initialing the postscript, he adds a handwritten note with a casting suggestion: “One more thing—Inde Pierrot is going to be an important role—very. I suggest a certain Freda Jackson, who played the termagant wife–step-mother in Great Expectations.” In fine condition, with usual folds and staples at upper left. R&R COA.
