[Inner Sanctum] Weird Woman

Universal City, CA: Universal Pictures, 1943. Draft script for the 1944 film, complete through page 94, scene 203. The remainder is not present, but the condition of the script would suggest that this draft is as issued. Copy belonging to an unknown crew member, with annotations in manuscript pencil and blue pencil throughout, regarding dialogue changes, direction, and camera setup.

The second installment in the "Inner Sanctum" series, after "Calling Dr. Death" (1943), also directed by Le Borg, based on the 1943 story, "Conjure Wife," by Fritz Leiber, Jr.

Professor Norman Reed (Chaney, Jr.) falls in love with an exotic native woman (Gwynne). What Prof. Reed doesn't know is that his exotic wife was raised by superstitious natives who taught her to trust her faith in voodoo. With Chaney, Jr., in an early role where he wasn't portraying a ghoulish monster, and more fun had by the cast off-screen than would its viewing audience, the film was essentially a silly romp. Leiber's story wouldn't get its official screen treatment until 1962 with "Burn, Witch, Burn," directed by Sidney Hayers, script by Richard Matheson, and starring Peter Wyngarde and Janet Blair.

Lacking front wrapper. Title page present, dated November 15, 1943, with credits for screenwriters Darling and Weisberg, and novelist Leiber, Jr. 99 leaves, mimeograph on pink stock, with yellow revision pages throughout, dated 11-18-43. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Near Fine bound with two gold brads.

Weaver, Universal Horrors.

[Book #128970]