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Description

Dalton Trumbo's Office Copy of the Script for Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. One of the most acclaimed films of the World War II years was MGM's Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944), based on the book by Ted Lawson (one of the pilots in the daring Doolittle raid dramatized in the film). The movie starred Van Johnson as Lawson and Spencer Tracy as Doolittle, and won an Oscar for Best Special Effects. Trumbo wrote the script, and this lot includes his 203-page office script copy, dated August 20, 1943. It is accompanies by a typed note from the film's producer, Sam Zimbalist, on MGM Inter-Office Communication paper, thanking Trumbo's personal secretary, Minnabell Cline, for her "good work and whole-hearted cooperation" on the film, signed "SZ" in ink. Also included is a fascinating five-page typed letter from Trumbo to Zimbalist (unsigned), dated May 5, 1943, detailing the sensitive wartime issues associated with the production, cooperation with military authorities, and the profound issues the film must advance. "If we flop on it," writes Trumbo, "we shall have disgraced ourselves." The letter is from the estate of Ms. Cline and both items are in Excellent condition. Accompanied by James Spence Authentication auction LOA.

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Auction Info

Auction Dates
November, 2010
13th-14th Saturday-Sunday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,223

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.

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Sold on Nov 14, 2010 for: $2,390.00
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