Personal book-bound script for Behold a Pale Horse (Columbia, 1964)....

Description

Personal book-bound script for Behold a Pale Horse (Columbia, 1964). Vintage original 165-page first estimating draft script of Xeroxed pages dated May 3, 1963, with revision pages dated to August 22, 1963. Screenplay by J.P. Miller. The present script was custom-bound for Mr. Peck's personal library in dark green leatherette 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 34 gelatin silver glossy 7.125" x 9.375" production stills (most with credit ink stamps on the verso of uncredited photographer on the production, Paul Apoteker) from the film tipped to pages bound-in. Spine is slightly sun faded with rubbing along the edges. Boards lightly scuffed and corners rubbed. Front board is slightly bowed. Page 142 has a chipped tear to the center fore-edge with some insect damage in the right border. Some of the stills show some irregular toning. Very Good.

Shortly after filming was completed, Columbia previewed the film and decided an introduction was required to provide background details related to the Spanish Civil War and so clips from the war documentary, To Die in Madrid (1963), were incorporated with dialogue to give context to the conflict. Despite promotional tours by Gregory Peck and the film's director, Fred Zimmerman, the film was not a box office success, likely because American audiences had forgotten about the conflict. To make matters worse, the Spanish government was so outraged at Anthony Quinn's portrayal of Francoist Guardia Civil captain, Viñolas, with a mistress and taking bribes, that they denied the film any screenings as well as denied distribution of any other Columbia films in the country. The issue persisted for several years, causing Columbia to sell its Spanish distributor, and costing the studio millions.

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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