Barfly (Cannon, 1987), Alternative-Draft Charles Bukowski Scripts (5), Plus Press Kit and Cannes Festival Ephemera....

Description

Barfly (Cannon, 1987), Alternative-Draft Charles Bukowski Scripts (5), Plus Press Kit and Cannes Festival Ephemera. Original (5) scripts by Charles Bukowski ranging in date from 1980 to November 1986, each measuring 9" x 11", with page counts from 109 to 119 (as paginated). Earliest (1980) is a studio mimeo clasp-bound in black plastic covers, title in marker on spine, denoted on title page as "NEW DRAFT". Plus (2) mint page "shooting scripts" dated 1/26/1987, brad-bound without covers. Plus (2) "Cannon Films" cover brad-bound "shooting scripts", one of which is a rainbow-correction example with character notation on title page, presumed in Fred Roos' hand, "pg. 49- major contradiction within Henry...is basically a typical "artist", is amazed by the unknown and yet is afraid of it. More bark than bite...."a true artist thrives on inner growth and yearns for the positive-". Barfly is a 1987 American black comedy film directed by Barbet Schroeder and starring Mickey Rourke, Faye Dunaway, Alice Krige, Jack Nance, and Frank Stallone. The film is a semi-autobiography of poet/author Charles Bukowski during the time he spent drinking heavily in Los Angeles, and it presents Bukowski's alter ego Henry Chinaski. The screenplay, written by Bukowski, was commissioned by the Iranian-born Swiss film director Barbet Schroeder, and it was published (with illustrations by the author) in 1984, when film production was still pending. The film was "presented by" Francis Ford Coppola and features a cameo by Bukowski. It was entered into the 1987 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or. Charles Bukowski wanted Sean Penn to star as protagonist Henry Chinaski, but Penn insisted that Dennis Hopper direct the film. Bukowski had written the screenplay for Barbet Schroeder, who had filmed him for French TV years before, but would not surrender the script to Hopper, whom he despised as a gold-chain-wearing Hollywood phony; Bukowski and Penn remained friends for the rest of Bukowski's life. There is a scene where the camera tilts up over Faye Dunaway's legs. This glamour shot was done at her insistence and was not in the original screenplay. The apartment building where Wanda's apartment is located was an actual building where Charles Bukowski and his lover Jane Cooney Baker, the real-life counterparts to Henry and Wanda, had lived. No one knew this until Bukowski, who was watching the filming, remembered. Bukowski later novelized his experiences surrounding the film in the book Hollywood. Lot also includes the original studio press kit in Cannon Films portfolio, containing (2) sets of press photos and other press info, plus cast and crew contact list, plus 1987 Cannes Film Festival tickets, brochures, and candid photos. Scripts display minor varying age and handling, with normal production and storage wear, remainder is carefully archived with only a trace of wear or age. The poster is for reference only and is not included with this lot. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions. From the Estate of Fred Roos.

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