Bonfire of the Vanities

Burbank, CA: Warner Brothers, 1988-1989. Two original screenplays for the 1990 film, one being a First Draft (1988), and the other a Second Revised Draft (1989). Brief annotations in manuscript ink on the title page of the second script.

Director De Palma's unfortunate box-office flop, based on Tom Wolfe's first novel. Sherman McCoy (Hanks), the "master of the universe," is a shallow Wall Street investor who makes millions while enjoying the good life and the sexual favors of Maria Ruskin (Griffith). One day the two find themselves in the South Bronx, where Maria sees a black youth approaching so, frightened, she guns the engine and runs him over, killing him. The two drive away and decide not to report the accident to the police. Alcoholic journalist Peter Fallow (Willis), anxious for a story, hears about the incident through a local black community activist. Once the story is out, the end is inevitable for Sherman.

Set in New York, shot on location there and in California.

De Palma would return to independent filmmaking with his next effort, the creepy horror film, "Raising Cain" (1992), starring John Lithgow.

First Draft script:

White wrappers. Title page present, dated October 1, 1988, noted as FIRST DRAFT, with credits for screenwriter Cristofer and novelist Wolfe.163 leaves, with last page of text numbered 161. Xerographically reproduced. Pages and wrapper Near Fine, bound with two gold brads.

Second Revised Draft script;

Yellow wrappers. Title page present, dated October 12, 1989 (December 15, 1989, in manuscript ink just above the printed date), noted as SECOND REVISED FIRST DRAFT, with credits for screenwriter Cristofer and novelist Wolfe. 154 leaves, with last page of text numbered 152. Xerographic duplication, with pink, blue, green, and yellow revision pages throughout, dated variously between 10/17/89 and 10/27/89. Pages and wrapper Near Fine, bound with two gold brads.

[Book #135643]