Frank Capra MAROONED Original screenplay for an unproduced film 1965 #150580

  
Marooned (Original screenplay for an unproduced film, 1965). Author: Frank Capra (producer, intended director); Walter Newman (screenwriter); Martin Caidin (novel) Title: Marooned (Original screenplay for an unproduced film, 1965) Publication: N. Description: Second Draft script for an unproduced film by screenwriter Walter Newman, with Frank Capra credited on the title page as "Producer-Director, " and with Capra's production company, Frank Capra Productions, Inc. The script is 247 pages, which would roughly amount to a four hour film. In 1965 Capra was in negotiations to get the financing for Newman's adaptation of Martin Caidin's 1964 novel.

Unfortunately, the project was too ambitious, and the cost too great to get the production off the ground, even after Capra had heavy revisions made to the script. Walter Newman is the acclaimed, three time Academy Award nominated screenwriter of "Ace in the Hole" (1951), "Cat Ballou (1965), and "Bloodbrothers" (1978), as well as the uncredited screenwriter of "The Magnificent Seven" (1960) and "The Great Escape, " both of which he renounced credit on after disputes with the same director, John Sturges (who would go on to direct "Marooned in 1969, and perhaps not surprisingly, abandon Newman's screenplay, and hire screenwriter Mayo Simon). Newman is perhaps best known for his unproduced 1970 screenplay "Harrow Alley, " called by some "the greatest screenplay never made, " a 172 page macabre story of the Great Plague in mediaeval England, and is regularly taught in film writing classes, and has for years, as recently as 2018, been rumored to be in production. A film adaptation of Caidin's novel was made in 1969 by director John Sturges, with a screenplay by Mayo Simon, and starring Gregory Peck, Richard Crenna, David Janssen, and Gene Hackman. Three astronauts, after spending months in orbit, prepare to return to earth, only to find the rocket boosters won't fire, and their oxygen levels declining.

Blue titled wrappers, noted as SECOND DRAFT on the front wrapper, dated APRIL 14, 1965. Title page present, dated April 14, 1965, noted as SECOND DRAFT, with credits for screenwriter Walter Newman and Producer-Director Frank Capra.

249 leaves, with last page of text numbered 247. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Very Good, with light soiling, creasing, and small closed tears at extremities, bound with two gold brads. Subject: 1960s Cinema, Adventure, Film Scripts, Films with Literary Sources, Science Fiction, Unproduced Films.

Royal Books is located in the midtown area of Baltimore, Maryland. Since 1996, we have specialized in rare books and paper relating to twentieth century literature, genre fiction, the arts, and popular culture, with a particular emphasis on cinema. All books noted as First Editions are also First Printings unless indicated otherwise. This listing was created by Bibliopolis. This item is in the category "Entertainment Memorabilia\Movie Memorabilia\Scripts\Originals\Unsigned". The seller is "royalbks" and is located in this country: US.

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• Original/Reproduction: Original
• Industry: Movies