Kraft [Mystery] Theatre: The Eighty Seventh [87th] Precinct

Burbank, CA: National Broadcasting Company [NBC], 1958. Archive of six Revised Draft scripts for the 1958 three-part television episode, which originally aired on June 25, 1958, on NBC. Collection includes three scripts noted as Acts I-III, and one script duplicate of Act I only, and two scripts compiling all three acts. Also included are two typescript pages, noting story outlines for a proposed "87th Precinct" television series. Each script signed by screenwriter Larry Cohen, and three scripts with manuscript pencil and ink annotations by Cohen throughout, noting deletions and substantive revisions.

"Kraft Theatre" was a dramatic anthology television series which aired on NBC from 1947 to 1958. In this installment, loosely based on Ed McBain's "87th Precinct" novel series, a solitary widow whose frequent calls to the police to report a burglar are usually ignored turns up dead in her apartment.

An early venture for screenwriter Larry Cohen, who would go on to write blaxploitation films "Bone" (1972), "Black Caesar" (1973), and "Hell Up in Harlem" (1973), as well as several popular horror and science fiction films, including "It's Alive" (1974), "God Told Me To" (1976), and "The Stuff" (1985).

Set and shot on location in New York.

Act I Revised Script, with pencil annotation on the front wrapper:

Self wrappers. Title page present, noted as REVISED, dated 6/17/58, with credits for screenwriter Larry Cohen. Title page integral with the front wrapper. 30 leaves, with last page of text numbered I-24. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Very Good plus, with the last leaf detached from the binding, partially bound with a single staple to the top left corner.

Act II Revised Script:

Self wrappers. Title page present, noted as REVISED, dated 6/17/58, with credits for screenwriter Larry Cohen. Title page integral with the front wrapper. 43 leaves, with last page of text numbered II-68. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, partially bound with a single staple to the top left corner.

Act III Revised Script:

Self wrappers. Title page present, noted as REVISED, dated 6/17/58, with credits for screenwriter Larry Cohen. Title page integral with the front wrapper. 34 leaves, with last page of text numbered III-103. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, partially bound with a single staple to the top left corner.

Act I Revised Script, with no pencil annotation on the front wrapper:

Self wrappers. Title page present, noted as REVISED, dated 6/17/58, with credits for screenwriter Larry Cohen. Title page integral with the front wrapper. 30 leaves, with last page of text numbered I-24. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, partially bound with a single staple to the top left corner.

Complete script:

Lacking wrappers and title page, possibly as issued. 144 leaves, with last page of text numbered III-136. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, partially bound with a single staple to the top left corner.

Revised complete script:

Lacking and title page, possibly as issued. 94 leaves, with last page of text numbered III-87. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, partially bound with a single staple to the top left corner.

[Book #153663]