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Details
DEMILLE, Cecil B. and HESTON, Charlton.
1. Bound revised script for The Ten Commandments, Los Angeles, July 6, 1956. 321 pages, quarto, bound in red morocco, type gilt, and cover stamped in gilt to "The Rev. James W. Fifield, Jr., D.D. from Cecil B. deMille", binding lightly soiled, hinges cracked, rubbed and bumped, some chips and a 2 1/2 x 1 in. loss of binding fabric on upper half of spine, some moderate water damage to the rear endpapers. With a typed letter signed by deMille's secretary, to Rev. Fifield, First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. deMille had the script bound three years after the release of this his last film but had died earlier in the month before the script could be sent to his Minister and good friend Fifield. deMille's secretary. Ann del Valle writes on Paramount stationery from Los Angeles, January 26, 1959, "Going to you today under separate cover is an especially bound copy of the screenplay for The Ten Commandments. It was being held for a personal letter from Mr. deMille. There are just 25 of these books in existence. Only 19 had been imprinted with the names for whom Mr. deMille intended them ... That Mr. deMille had one of these books made for you expresses better than anything that I might say the place he occupied in his heart."
2. Three typed letters signed and one autograph note signed of deMille to the Reverend Fifield. These are very good letters. On April 14, 1955, deMille writes: "Thank you for your letter of April 11th. Such good news about The King of Kings is always welcome ... He observed that there was only one light on in the darkened room while you spoke. The world around us may seem as dark as you painted it, but there is always the one unquenchable light of faith -- and you have been for many years the instrument of courage to keep it burning." And from August 27, 1956, the best letter "Your many kindnesses have meant a great deal to me through the years but never more so than in connection with The Ten Commandments. Many people called my attention to your observations in the "Los Angeles Times" and the other comments that you have made -- comments which moved me deeply. From the time we undertook to bring this great story to the screen our only concern was whether we would be worthy of the subject. Your comments give warm assurance for had we failed it certainly could not have been the fault of the script -- that was written under divine inspiration over 3,000 years ago ... sincerely C. B. deMille." The autograph note is quite good too "Thank you for wanting to hang the picture -- many would rather hang me."
3. There are 6 other letters, a telegram, a still of Heston and Fifield on the 'Commandments' set, and color programs for The Ten Commandments and Seven Wonders of the World. The letters, all to the Rev. Fifield are from Charlton Heston, Rupert Hughes, Barbara Britton, Lowell Thomas, 2 from William Powell (1 in autograph). The telegram is from deMille expressing deep condolescences over the loss of the Reverend's wife. We quote from Hestons letter to Fifield, dated October 25, 1956: "That I was pleased beyond measure at being offered your pulpit for a day is something I'm sure you apprehended as we talked the other day; that I was as deeply complimented by your request for a photograph is something that may not have occured to you... I know that I will keep, very close, the memory of my experience in your church last Sunday. As I said, I know something now of what you feel every week of your life. I can see why you are a happy man. Let me thank you again for all you've done for us, as a minister and a man... Charlton Heston". (19)
1. Bound revised script for The Ten Commandments, Los Angeles, July 6, 1956. 321 pages, quarto, bound in red morocco, type gilt, and cover stamped in gilt to "The Rev. James W. Fifield, Jr., D.D. from Cecil B. deMille", binding lightly soiled, hinges cracked, rubbed and bumped, some chips and a 2 1/2 x 1 in. loss of binding fabric on upper half of spine, some moderate water damage to the rear endpapers. With a typed letter signed by deMille's secretary, to Rev. Fifield, First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. deMille had the script bound three years after the release of this his last film but had died earlier in the month before the script could be sent to his Minister and good friend Fifield. deMille's secretary. Ann del Valle writes on Paramount stationery from Los Angeles, January 26, 1959, "Going to you today under separate cover is an especially bound copy of the screenplay for The Ten Commandments. It was being held for a personal letter from Mr. deMille. There are just 25 of these books in existence. Only 19 had been imprinted with the names for whom Mr. deMille intended them ... That Mr. deMille had one of these books made for you expresses better than anything that I might say the place he occupied in his heart."
2. Three typed letters signed and one autograph note signed of deMille to the Reverend Fifield. These are very good letters. On April 14, 1955, deMille writes: "Thank you for your letter of April 11th. Such good news about The King of Kings is always welcome ... He observed that there was only one light on in the darkened room while you spoke. The world around us may seem as dark as you painted it, but there is always the one unquenchable light of faith -- and you have been for many years the instrument of courage to keep it burning." And from August 27, 1956, the best letter "Your many kindnesses have meant a great deal to me through the years but never more so than in connection with The Ten Commandments. Many people called my attention to your observations in the "Los Angeles Times" and the other comments that you have made -- comments which moved me deeply. From the time we undertook to bring this great story to the screen our only concern was whether we would be worthy of the subject. Your comments give warm assurance for had we failed it certainly could not have been the fault of the script -- that was written under divine inspiration over 3,000 years ago ... sincerely C. B. deMille." The autograph note is quite good too "Thank you for wanting to hang the picture -- many would rather hang me."
3. There are 6 other letters, a telegram, a still of Heston and Fifield on the 'Commandments' set, and color programs for The Ten Commandments and Seven Wonders of the World. The letters, all to the Rev. Fifield are from Charlton Heston, Rupert Hughes, Barbara Britton, Lowell Thomas, 2 from William Powell (1 in autograph). The telegram is from deMille expressing deep condolescences over the loss of the Reverend's wife. We quote from Hestons letter to Fifield, dated October 25, 1956: "That I was pleased beyond measure at being offered your pulpit for a day is something I'm sure you apprehended as we talked the other day; that I was as deeply complimented by your request for a photograph is something that may not have occured to you... I know that I will keep, very close, the memory of my experience in your church last Sunday. As I said, I know something now of what you feel every week of your life. I can see why you are a happy man. Let me thank you again for all you've done for us, as a minister and a man... Charlton Heston". (19)