China

N.p. N.p., 1942. Draft script for the 1943 film. Presentation copy belonging to William Bendix, with his name in gilt on front board, and title in gilt on spine. Bound in before the script is a fifteen page shooting schedule, along with an unusual two page story flow map, charting time of day, weather, special effects, terrain, location, and synopsis. Also laid in is a brief outline of character names and numbers corresponding to the shooting schedule. Missing one page, likely as used or issued.

William Bendix was an American stage, film, radio, and television actor who is best remembered as one of television's archetypal patriarchs, the blundering Chester A. Riley in "The Life of Riley," first on the 1944-1951 ABC and NBC radio serial, then in the 1949 film, directed by Irving Brecher, then finally in the 1953-1958 NBC television series. Bendix was nominated for an Academy Award in 1942 for his supporting role in the WWII drama "Wake Island," directed by John Farrow..

Based on the unproduced play "The Fourth Brother" by Archibald Forbes. In 1941, an opportunistic American businessman lives in China, selling oil to the invading Japanese army, but his cynicism begins to wane after falling in love with a local schoolteacher and witnessing the atrocities committed by the Japanese.

Shot on location in Mesa, Apache Trail, and Phoenix, Arizona, and Los Angeles, California.

Maroon three quarter leather binding over brown leather boards with title in gilt on spine and William Bendix in gilt on lower right of front board with endpapers crediting BooKraft Hollywood. 163 leaves, with last page of text numbered E-17. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only, with blue revision pages throughout, dated 10-23-42, with one undated. Pages Near Fine, leather binding Near Fine.

[Book #152952]