The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle [The Castles]

Culver City, CA: RKO Radio Pictures, 1937. First Draft script for the 1939 musical, here under the working title "The Castles."

Based on real-life ballroom dancers Irene and Vernon Castle, who rekindled an interest in Western ballroom dancing in the early 20th century. The real Irene Castle served on the film's production team and was purportedly quite difficult to please, criticizing actor Ginger Rogers' refusal to bob her hair (a style that Castle popularized in the US) and more broadly, the censorship restrictions which prohibited licentious—and, Castle argued, accurate—portrayals of the Ragtime Era or Jazz Age. A rare departure from the screwball comedy style which characterized Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' earlier films, and the final musical the pair would make with RKO Studios.

Set in New Jersey, New York, Paris, and Britain.

White titled wrappers, rubber-stamped "Please Return to RKO STORY FILES" and production No. 1010 on the front wrapper, dated December 13, 1937, with credits for screenwriter Oscar Hammerstein II. Title page integral with the front wrapper, as issued. 236 leaves, with last page of text numbered 235. Carbon typescript on yellow onionskin stock, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Very Good plus overall, bound with three gold brads.

[Book #147235]