Description:

Edna Ferber
Los Angeles, CA, August 21, [no year]
Playwright Edward Chodorov TLS to Edna Ferber: "Everybody is mad for you"
TLS
A lengthy typed letter from playwright Edward Chodorov to author Edna Ferber, who he refers to in the opening as "Darling Ferb". 3p on Samuel Goldwyn Inc. letterhead, measuring 8.5" x 11", Los Angeles, California, August 21 [no year, ca. 1935]. Boldly signed at conclusion with additional postscript: "Eddie-- a lonesome old man./ Your New York address! How does one get it?" Exhibits darkened age toning, moderate creasing, and scattered handling marks throughout. Otherwise good condition with nice Hollywood references!

Within, Chodorov remarks on Ferber having praised his work, and mentions having watched 'Barnaby Coast' (1935) at the suggestion of "Sam the Good", possibly a reference to Samuel Goldwyn himself. Reading in part:

"You have utterly debauched my ego. Wherever I got someone lays fingers on me: 'Say, Ferber was crazy about you. She spoke about you for an hour.' Am I a man-- or am I the guy that Ferber was crazy about? The wheel of fortune will turn someday, and the last shall be first- and you will be the gal Chodorov is nuts for…
I saw Barbary Coast at Sam the Good's behest, to suggest remedies… Your prescience, after seeing a reel or two, was sound as usual. I told the Master that there was no evidence from the picture, to support any longer the claim that Hecht-McArthur were second rate writers. 'That's the trouble with you fellers', cried Sam-- 'you all stick up for each other!'
You left an extraordinary impression around here. Everybody is mad for you. You entered the mouse trap, sliced off a hunk of cheese, and then beat it. And the mice think you're simply grand.
…Because of your projected trip to the Orient I listened very carefully last time to some just-returned and reliable travelers. Japan's the place. Au contraire, you must not bother with China which is filthy, avaricious, and mercilessly disillusioning….".

Edna Ferber (1885-1968) was an American novelist, short story writer and playwright. Her novels include the Pulitzer Prize-winning "So Big" (1924), "Show Boat" (1926, which was later adapted into a musical), and Cimarron (1930, the film adaption of which was nominated for Best Picture). Ferber's works generally feature a strong female protagonist, and are often concerned with small subsets of American culture or take place in exotic locations. Indeed, her trip to Asia referenced toward the end of the letter could have been for research on such a project. Ferber was also an unofficial member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of New York City writers and wits, and frequently collaborated with fellow member George S. Kaufman on several Broadway plays.

Edward Chodorov (1904-1988) was a Broadway playwright, and the writer or producer of over 50 motion pictures. During the McCarthy era of the 1950s, both Edward and his brother Jerome, also a playwright, were blacklisted for their failure to cooperate with the House Committee on Un-American Activities.

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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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: TLS

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