[Rarebooks] FS: Darryl Zanuck Letter, part of fascinating archive depicting the beginnings of the friction between Hollywood and Washington

[Charles Agvent]

ZANUCK, Darryl F. TYPED LETTER SIGNED (TLS). Beverly Hills, 9 September 
1941. A letter on Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation stationery to 
Franklin D. Roosevelt's son, Captain James Roosevelt, in his capacity as 
secretary to his father in the White House, SIGNED "Darryl." Zanuck 
writes about the Congressional investigation of the Hollywood film 
industry's role in trying to bring the United States into World War II 
by inserting pro-British and pro-interventionist messages in its films, 
an investigation that had begun the very day of this letter. Much to the 
surprise of many, Wendell Willkie, who had lost to Roosevelt in the last 
presidential election, was hired by Hollywood as special counsel to 
defend against the isolationists before the subcommittee, headed by 
Senator D. Worth Clark. Zanuck would testify at great length but not for 
a couple of weeks after writing this letter. The hearings were postponed 
indefinitely on October 9 due to the absence of several members for 
various reasons and would ultimately be inconclusive once Japan attacked 
the United States on December 7, but they played an important role in 
establishing a congressional distrust of the film industry that would 
culminate in 1947 when the House Un-American Activities Committee 
prompted the blacklisting targeting its members. In this letter, Zanuck 
tells Roosevelt: "If there was ever a time when any two people faced 
opposition, we certainly faced it -- and now we have certainly been 
completely vindicated." He bases this optimistic view on a letter by 
Willkie published, as Zanuck states, "on the front page of practically 
every important paper in America." An original copy of Willkie's 
nine-page letter, signed in type, is included with Zanuck's letter as is 
a letter to Roosevelt, also on Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation 
stationery, from Jason S. Joy, Director of Public Relations. A 
fascinating archive depicting the beginnings of the friction between 
Hollywood and Washington. Rust stain from a paperclip in the upper left 
corner not affecting any text. Near Fine. (#019664)        $850

https://www.charlesagvent.com/pages/books/019664/darryl-f-zanuck/typed-letter-signed-tls

-- 
All books subject to prior sale. Cash with order; institutions may be billed.
Postage additional: $12.00 for the first item; $6.00 for each thereafter for
Priority; $8 for the first item; $4 for each thereafter for Media Mail. Overseas
postage billed at approximate cost. Pennsylvania residents must add 6% sales tax.
Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover accepted. Books may be returned
within 7 days of receipt for any reason provided they are in the same condition as
sent and prior notice is given. Please insure returns for their full value. We carry
a diverse stock with major specialties including Modern and 19th Century Literary
First Editions, Signed Books, Presidential Autographs, Illustrated Books, and one of
the largest inventories of Limited Editions Club books. We have been in business
since 1987 and are proud to be members of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of
America (ABAA) and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB).
Please feel free to contact us with any wants or offerings. Thank you.

CHARLES AGVENT

37 Ridge Drive

Fleetwood, PA 19522-9638

484-575-8825

charles at charlesagvent.com

Please visit our shop: https://www.charlesagvent.com


-- 
This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software.
www.avg.com