Johnny Guitar

New York: Simon and Schuster, 1953. First Edition. Association copy, INSCRIBED by Roy Chanslor to film director Nicholas Ray on the front endpaper: "To Nick Ray / For a very happy and fruitful association! / Roy."

The inscription refers to Ray's film version of Chanslor's book, one of the strangest and most important Westerns ever committed to celluloid, and a critical high spot for Joan Crawford (to whom the book is dedicated). The film rights to the novel were purchased prior to publication, and Chanslor finished the first draft of the screenplay adaptation on June 10, 1953, just a few weeks after publication of the book. The film, which also starred Sterling Hayden and Mercedes McCaimbridge, was released in 1954.

The best association imaginable between this key author of post-traditional Western fiction and the film director who famously brought that author's sensibilities into a bold new visual context.

Very Good in a Very Good plus dust jacket. Front hinge professionally repaired, some wear to the extremities, and the usual toning to the page edges. Jacket is lightly rubbed at the folds, with a few short closed tears, otherwise quite nice.


[Book #145352]