Description:

British Director Peter Duffell Tries & Fails to Adapt Czech-Canadian Writer Josef Skvorecky's Stories

The archive contains correspondence relating to the unsuccessful attempt of British television/film director Peter Duffell (1922-2017) to adapt two stories by Czech-Canadian author Josef Skvorecky (1924-2012), "The Swell Season" and "The Bass Saxophone," into a film called "Danny and the High School Gang: The Life and Loves of Danny Smiricky, Amateur Jazz Musician and Would-be Casanova," ca. 1984-1993. The archive consists of 20+ items of correspondence (typed letters signed) exchanged between interested parties; and a film-related manuscript in the hand of Peter Duffell. Expected wear including minor folds and wrinkles, isolated griminess and paper clip impressions. Else near fine. The average size of the documents is 8.5" x 11." Approximately 30 pieces total. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information relating to condition.

The relationship between Peter Duffell--who has been called one of the most underrated British directors of the twentieth century--and Josef Skvorecky--a writer who had been awarded the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 1980 in recognition of his 1969 novel "Miss Silver's Past" and other works--is an interesting one. Ten letters from Skvorecky to Duffell begin in 1984 with the author expressing delight at Duffell's plan, which mirrored his own idea of combining the two works in a single narrative: "I even jotted down a first-draft script 'I spent only two days on it, and it is awful. But it proves that our minds work along the same lines." By early 1985, Skvorecky was writing to Duffell to comment at some length on his script, promising, "When we close the deal - I hope to God we will - we shall, of course, go through this first draft in detail." Subsequent letters indicate that the project ran into legal problems over rights, particularly an option owned by Canadian filmmaker Pasia Schonberg (died 2018) on "The Engineer of Human Souls" by Skvorecky, which featured related characters to those in "Swell Season."

Skvorecky's letters to Duffell become ever more discursive and revealing about friends and relations as the two become closer, but it gradually becomes apparent that the project has stalled: a 1989 letter begins, "You are absolutely right: the situation with Pasia Schonberg is monstrous." Skvorecky writes almost guiltily about other successful adaptations of his work, but none forthcoming from Duffell. Accompanying Skvorecky's correspondence is a sequence of increasingly heated letters from Lucinda Vardey Agency, several publishers, and Pasia Schonberg herself, upholding her intellectual property rights. Additionally, there is a breakdown of travel expenses in Duffell's hand, a copy of one letter from Duffel to Skvorecky, and letters from The National Film Development Fund, Embassy Communications International, and Channel 4 Television (London) about funding the project.

The collection includes:

1. 10 typed letters signed, Josef Skvorecky to Peter Duffell. October 31, 1984 - May 21, 1993. About the development of the project to adapt "The Swell Season" and "The Bass Saxophone" into the film "Danny and the High School Gang."

2. 10 typed letters signed and exchanged between various correspondents including Peter Duffell; Pasia Schonberg; Peter Israel; Lucinda Varida Agency; Lester & Orpen Dennys Publishers; and Hatton & Baker, Ltd. About Duffell's project in terms of violating a competing projects clause in the option on Skvorecky's "The Engineer of Human Souls" owned by Pasia Schonberg.

3. 1p autograph manuscript in Duffell's hand, [1984]. Being an Expenses list, with items including "Trip to Czechoslovakia" and "Trip to Canada to meet Skvorecky." With two photocopied information sheets about the cost of travel between London and Prague.

4. 1p typed letter signed, Alison Jackson, Channel 4 Television (London) to Peter Duffell. October 19, 1984. Acknowledging receipt of a copy of "The Bass Saxophone."

5. 1p typed letter signed, Colin Vaines, National Film Development Fund, to Peter Duffell. January 16, 1985. Rejecting an application for funding for the development of "Danny and the High School Gang."

6. 1p typed letter signed, John D. Eberts, Embassy Communications International, to Peter Duffell. January 28, 1985. Rejecting the opportunity to support the production of "Danny and the High School Gang."

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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