Edge of Doom

Hollywood: Samuel Goldwyn Productions, 1949. Final Draft script for the 1950 film noir. Copy belonging to actor Robert Keith, with his name on the front wrapper, and his annotations in manuscript pencil to several pages, noting his name and a few line revisions.

Based on Leo Brady's 1949 novel, about an impoverished family and the depths to which a frustrated young man can sink, culminating in murder. Producer Samuel Goldwyn found the film too bleak after an initial screening, and writers Ben Hecht and Charles Brackett were called in to add a mawkish prologue, epilogue, and narration, with new scenes directed by an uncredited Charles Vidor. These changes did little to compromise the thematic darkness of the film, however, and the resulting release remains one of the grimmest and most miserable of films noir.

Orange titled wrappers, noted as Final Draft on the front wrapper, dated November 12, 1949. Distribution page present, with receipt removed, stamped copy No. 20. Title page integral with the front wrapper. 128 leaves, with last page of text numbered 123. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only, with blue, yellow, and pink revision pages throughout, dated variously between 11/16/49 and 12/19/49. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Near Fine, bound with two gold brads.

Grant US. Selby US. Silver Classic Noir. Spicer US.

[Book #155144]