拍品 198
198
THE ALICE COMEDIES

細節
THE ALICE COMEDIES
A rare typescript letter, signed, dated October 1st, 1925 from Charles B.Mintz to Mrs Margaret J. Davis discussing the possible reinstatement of her daughter Virginia as Disney's Alice in the second series. ...You are mistaken when you say that Virginia was replaced on account of Mr Winkler's friendship for some person. The reason for the replacement, as I understand it, is that Mr Disney needed the services of Virginia for about eighteen days throughout the entire year of 1925. Under these circumstances he figured that he would not be justified in contracting for the entire year. I further understand that he offered Virginia the opportunity of doing work on the 'Alice comedies' on a salary basis of $25,00 per day and that you would not agree to allow her to work under those conditions....Nevertheless it is not too late to make amends and if you are desirous of going ahead under these conditions, I will be very happy to write Mr Disney and ask him to use Virginia... , 1p. on J.J.Winkler Distributor headed paper; in common mount with a still of Virginia Davis in the Alice Comedies, (printed later), framed, overall measurements - 13¾ x 19¾in.
來源
Miss Virginia Davis
A Private Collection.
出版
MERRIT, Russell & KAUFMAN, J.B Walt In Wonderland, Italy: Le Giornate del Cinema Muto/Edizioni Biblioteca dell'Immagine, 1992, p. 104.

拍品專文

Three years before Charles Mintz wrangled Disney's series Oswald The Lucky Rabbit away from Walt Disney, forcing him to create a new character - Mickey Mouse - Mintz wrote this letter to the mother of Disney's Alice Comedies star Virginia Davis, distancing himself from the termination of her contract. As a result of pressure from Winkler for Disney to cut costs on the second Alice series, Walt was compelled to make cuts. After the original proposal of a monthly salary of up to $250, Virginia Davis' parents found themselves being offered what amounted to $450 per year to renew the contract, or to be replaced.

We are grateful to Bison Archives for providing background information on this letter.