Port of Hope (Singapore)

Culver City, CA: Universal City Studios, 1940. Temporary Complete script from an unproduced film by screenwriter Walter Reisch. Annotation of date "4-19-40" in manuscript pencil on affixed MGM Label, with "Property of Universal City Studios" stamp below label.

Reisch worked in Germany's leading film company Ufa during the late 1920s and early 1930s (alongside another Viennese writer Billy Wilder) as a screenwriter, assistant director, and cameraman, as well as lyricist for operatic films. Forced to join the mass exodus from Germany during the rise of Nazism, he moved to London, writing and directing the 1936 comedy "Men Are Not Gods" starring Miriam Hopkins, which attracted attention from Louis B. Mayer. From 1938 to 1948 Reisch worked at MGM as a script doctor and screenwriter on such films as Ernst Lubitsch's "Ninotchka" (1939), starring Geta Garbo, and George Cukor's "Gaslight" (1944) starring Ingrid Bergman.

The ingenious, but disheveled naval officer Lieutenant Andrew Milford arrives in Sinapore, in the US Submarine "Phoebe," for the inauguration of a British Naval Base, finding himself enamored with the city, and of Sue, owner of a waterfront bar and restaurant, who his pal Jack is also fond of. A dramatic, romantic comedy with musical numbers.

Set in Singapore.

Blue titled wrappers, noted as TEMPORARY COMPLETE on the front wrapper, rubber-stamped copy No. 27 and production No. 6910, dated 3/1/40, with credits for screenwriter Walter Reisch. Title page integral with first page, dated 3-1-40, with credits for screenwriter Walter Reisch. 101 leaves, with last page of text numbered 101. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Very Good plus, bound with two gold brads.

[Book #148596]