Details
FITZGERALD, F. SCOTT. Two typed letters signed ("F. Scott ['High-Tension'] Fitzgerald" and "Scott") to Lester Cowan, 1403 N. Laurel Avenue, Hollywood, and n.p. (presumably same address), 23 July and 16 August 1940. Together 2 pages, 4to, single-spaced, both signatures and 20-word holograph closing note on second letter in pencil, slight fold creases in first letter.
"F. SCOTT ('HIGH-TENSION') FITZGERALD" AT WORK ON THE SECOND DRAFT
The first letter was written while working on the second draft of the screenplay, which was finished on 30 July. This second version was cut to 130 pages (from the previous 146) and apparently given the story's title Babylon Revisited. 23 July 1940: "...I'll start sending you the ms. by seven Wednesday evening (that'll be the first half) -- to follow with another batch Thursday noon -- and finish by seven Thursday night, when the last quarter will reach you. I'll be ready for a conference any time Friday...so if you'll really set aside enough of the previous thirty-six hours for digesting it with proper prayer and fasting, we could have a good conference Friday. This would give me Saturday, Monday and Tuesday to incorporate your final criticisms and suggestion. The veiled threat behind this is that after another week of work I know I'm going to be a cantankerous, uncivilized and unreasonable old man and will have to rest. So make hay while the sun shines and for the love of Shirley's father (old 'Badminton' Temple) don't dare tell me Friday morning you haven't been able to get to it..."
16 August 1940 (finishing revisions of a second draft, now apparently entitled Cosmopolitan): "Here you are -- it's shorter, clearer and straighter and I breathe easier. Victoria's arrival [Honoria's name was changed] is important now but I can't make it crucial unless he's about to jump out the window, which weakens him again. I think it is poignant rather than crucial -- remember, she was never to be Daddy's little helper in the conventional sense. You will see changes in 'E' that help along the situation also...P.S. I wasn't impressed with Ludwig's tandem suggestion. Do we want to begin the new Shirley Temple with a cast off musicomedy idea of Durbin's?...Have talked to you since writing this. I think it's [the screenplay] as close to right as I can make it now." Neither letter is in Letters, ed. M.J. Bruccoli & M.M. Duggan, and each is apparently unpublished. (2)
"F. SCOTT ('HIGH-TENSION') FITZGERALD" AT WORK ON THE SECOND DRAFT
The first letter was written while working on the second draft of the screenplay, which was finished on 30 July. This second version was cut to 130 pages (from the previous 146) and apparently given the story's title Babylon Revisited. 23 July 1940: "...I'll start sending you the ms. by seven Wednesday evening (that'll be the first half) -- to follow with another batch Thursday noon -- and finish by seven Thursday night, when the last quarter will reach you. I'll be ready for a conference any time Friday...so if you'll really set aside enough of the previous thirty-six hours for digesting it with proper prayer and fasting, we could have a good conference Friday. This would give me Saturday, Monday and Tuesday to incorporate your final criticisms and suggestion. The veiled threat behind this is that after another week of work I know I'm going to be a cantankerous, uncivilized and unreasonable old man and will have to rest. So make hay while the sun shines and for the love of Shirley's father (old 'Badminton' Temple) don't dare tell me Friday morning you haven't been able to get to it..."
16 August 1940 (finishing revisions of a second draft, now apparently entitled Cosmopolitan): "Here you are -- it's shorter, clearer and straighter and I breathe easier. Victoria's arrival [Honoria's name was changed] is important now but I can't make it crucial unless he's about to jump out the window, which weakens him again. I think it is poignant rather than crucial -- remember, she was never to be Daddy's little helper in the conventional sense. You will see changes in 'E' that help along the situation also...P.S. I wasn't impressed with Ludwig's tandem suggestion. Do we want to begin the new Shirley Temple with a cast off musicomedy idea of Durbin's?...Have talked to you since writing this. I think it's [the screenplay] as close to right as I can make it now." Neither letter is in Letters, ed. M.J. Bruccoli & M.M. Duggan, and each is apparently unpublished. (2)