Personal book-bound script for Roman Holiday (Paramount, 1953)....

Description

Personal book-bound script for Roman Holiday (Paramount, 1953). Vintage original 168-page script dated June 4, 1952 with orange revision pages dated to August 8, 1952. Screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, Ian McLellan Hunter, and John Dighton. The present script was custom-bound for Mr. Peck's personal library in full tan calf with title and Mr. Peck's name stamped in gilt on the front board. Spine stamped in gilt with five raised bands. Marbled endpapers. With 16 gelatin silver matte double-weight 9" x 7" production stills and portraits from the film tipped to pages bound-in. Spine somewhat sun faded with some fading to the upper front board. Corners rubbed, boards somewhat bowed. Boards show light scuffs with area of darkening to the upper rear board. A few photos spotted with irregular toning. Very Good.

Dalton Trumbo was on the Hollywood blacklist at the time the film was made, and he did not receive screenplay credit until the DVD release in 2003. He was not fully credited for his work until December 2011. This was Audrey Hepburn's first starring role and Peck's contract gave him solo star billing, with Hepburn's name much less prominent in the credits. Once production started, Peck quickly realized the potential of his co-star, remarking that, "I'm smart enough to know this girl's going to win the Oscar in her first picture, and I'm going to look like a damned fool if her name is not up there on top with mine." He suggested to director, William Wyler, that Hepburn's name be elevated to equal billing, almost unheard of in Hollywood at the time. His hunch was right because the film was nominated for eight Academy Awards and won for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Audrey Hepburn, Best Writing, Motion Picture Story (originally credited to Ian McLellan Hunter), and Best Costume Design, B&W, Edith Head.

Please note that while not a studio presentation script, the present script was custom bound for Mr. Peck's personal library and features his name stamped in gilt on the front board.

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