Queen of the Mob [The Woman from Hell]

Hollywood: Paramount Pictures, 1939. Revised Final White Draft script for the 1940 film, "Queen of the Mob," here under the working title, "The Woman from Hell." Notations in manuscript pencil on the front wrapper and on a few pages. Housed in a custom clamshell box with paper labels.

Based on J. Edgar Hoover's 1938 book, "Persons in Hiding." A pre-noir crime drama about Ma Webster (Yurka), the head of a gang of thieves and kidnappers, a character loosely based on the notorious Ma Barker. Ma Webster's family and their exploits land them on the FBI's "Most Wanted" list, and the bureau sends Agent Scott Langham (Bellamy) to catch the crooks.

Self wrappers, noted as REVISED FINAL WHITE on the front wrapper, production No. 1257, dated December 28, 1939. Title page integral with front wrapper. 121 leaves, with last leaf of text being a page noting songs to appear within the film. Mimeograph duplication. Near Fine overall, bound with three gold brads.

Hardy, The Gangster Film, p. 97.

[Book #136990]