Street Song

N.p. N.p., 1953. Treatment script for an unproduced film. Included with the script are four partially-bound identical sets of carbon typescript pages listing prospective filming locations and camerawork, and two smaller unbound leaves, one blank and one with manuscript ink annotations to the recto.

Screenwriter Vera Caspary was best known for her 1942 novel "Laura," the basis for the classic 1944 film noir and the project that most strongly established her presence among Hollywood studios as a desirable writer for film. Years later, however, in the midst of the HUAC investigations, Caspary became persona non grata, as she had been an active member of the Communist Party in the 1930s and never fully shed her proletarian leanings. In order to avoid prosecution and the potential destruction of her career, Caspary moved to Europe and spent several years searching for studio financing and writing film treatments, including the never-produced "Street Song." The project tells the story of an acclaimed but vain opera singer who falls in with a group of street musicians and learns humility and, ultimately, love.

Tall orange titled wrappers, noted as Treatment on the front wrapper, dated 14th April, 1953, noted as Copy No. 15, with credits for screenwriter Vera Caspary. Title page present, dated 14th April, 1953, noted as Treatment, with credits for Caspary. 77 leaves, with last page of text numbered 76. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Very Good plus, with some rust to the first few leaves and light foxing, wrapper Very Good plus, bound with green string.

[Book #146323]