The Secret of the Maltese Falcon

Hollywood: Frsco Productions, 1975-1976. Archive of three draft scripts for an unproduced film, including One First Draft script, one Second Draft Shooting script, and one Third Draft Shooting script. Annotations in manuscript pencil on the title page of the First Draft and cast pages of the Second Draft Shooting script.

A musical spoof of John Huston's classic 1941 film noir "The Maltese Falcon." Screenwriter Frank Saletri, a criminal defense lawyer in Los Angeles, worked as a part-time screenwriter and producer, primarily of exploitation (especially blaxploitation) films. Saletri's screenwriting work was largely unproduced, with the exception of the 1973 film "Blackenstein," and the possible exception of "Black the Ripper," a questionably apocryphal film whose existence has been debated for decades among grindhouse fans.

First Draft:

Blue untitled wrappers. Title page present, dated 1975, noted as First Draft in manuscript pencil annotation, with credits for screenwriter Frank Ritenhyde Saletri. 144 leaves, with last page of text numbered 134. Xerographic duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Near Fine, bound with two gold brads.

Second Draft Shooting script:

Green untitled wrappers. Title page present, dated 1976, noted as SHOOTING SCRIPT, SECOND DRAFT, with credits for screenwriter Frank Ritenhyde Saletri. 179 leaves, with last page of text numbered 158. Xerographic duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Near Fine, bound with two gold brads.

Third Draft Shooting script:

Red untitled wrappers. Title page present, dated 1976, noted as SHOOTING SCRIPT, THIRD DRAFT, with credits for screenwriter Frank Ritenhyde Saletri. 181 leaves, with last page of text numbered 158. Xerographic duplication, rectos only. Pages Near Fine, wrapper Near Fine, bound with three gold brads.

[Book #158051]