FOOLISH WIVESA quantity of rare original documents associated with the 1921 Universal Film Foolish Wives, including an original shooting script, mimeographed typescript annotated in Von Stroheim's hand in pencil, 108 pp. original wrappers; eighty seven mimeographed typescript and manuscript pages in Von Stroheim's hand representing various treatments to scenes in the script, some pages running in incomplete sequences; six typescript pages outlining the story of the script; two typescript copies of Erich Von Stroheim's criticism of the edited seven-reel version of Foolish Wives, giving a rare insight into Stroheim's views ...In the seven reels of film called 'Foolish Wives' there is no more of my original story or characterisation of people left..we all realize that the story, as well as..the characterization and plot necessarily had to suffer in being cut down from 32 reels to 14 reels..But why go beyond that... continuing with his suggestions regarding scenes to be cut and to be put back, one copy inscribed on first page Von's Copy, 27pp., [one copy incomplete]; a typescript essay entitled Vindication giving his reasons for writing about how his film was made ...that is why I write 'Foolish Wives' without the leisure and without my peace of mind, just to tell how 'Foolish Wives' was made for you to see and for you to judge.., 5pp.; eight gaming chips and three printed Casino De Monte Carlo cards used in the film, one card inscribed in Von Stroheim's hand with his charachter's name Count Karamzin; sixteen Universal City printed souvenir currency notes; and related material. (a lot)

细节

FOOLISH WIVESA quantity of rare original documents associated with the 1921 Universal Film Foolish Wives, including an original shooting script, mimeographed typescript annotated in Von Stroheim's hand in pencil, 108 pp. original wrappers; eighty seven mimeographed typescript and manuscript pages in Von Stroheim's hand representing various treatments to scenes in the script, some pages running in incomplete sequences; six typescript pages outlining the story of the script; two typescript copies of Erich Von Stroheim's criticism of the edited seven-reel version of Foolish Wives, giving a rare insight into Stroheim's views ...In the seven reels of film called 'Foolish Wives' there is no more of my original story or characterisation of people left..we all realize that the story, as well as..the characterization and plot necessarily had to suffer in being cut down from 32 reels to 14 reels..But why go beyond that... continuing with his suggestions regarding scenes to be cut and to be put back, one copy inscribed on first page Von's Copy, 27pp., [one copy incomplete]; a typescript essay entitled Vindication giving his reasons for writing about how his film was made ...that is why I write 'Foolish Wives' without the leisure and without my peace of mind, just to tell how 'Foolish Wives' was made for you to see and for you to judge.., 5pp.; eight gaming chips and three printed Casino De Monte Carlo cards used in the film, one card inscribed in Von Stroheim's hand with his charachter's name Count Karamzin; sixteen Universal City printed souvenir currency notes; and related material. (a lot)

拍品专文

'Foolish Wives' Universal, 1921, was Stroheim's first important film and the first to establish his reputation as both a creative genius and profligate spendthrift. He spent close to a million dollars of Universal's money on 'Foolish Wives' and extravagant sum in the early 20s. Stroheim's insistence on authentic details caused production to take nearly a year. He demanded the studio build for him a life-size replica of Monte Carlo and insisted on shooting the exteriors on remote locations...although his extravagance delighted Universal's promotion department..it became a source of annoyance to the studio's young production head, Irving Thalberg. Although 'Foolish Wives' turned out to be Universal's biggest box-office hit to date, it was also the most expensive and the margin of profit slight. In addition Stroheim developed a tendency to make his films very long, so that he could leisurely explore the psychology of the characters. As a result.. the studio handed the final cutting of his films to others. 'Foolish Wives' was released in a mutilated version, about a third shorter than Stroheim had intended, much to his chagrin... (See Ephraim Katz The International Film Encyclopedia, Macmillan Press, 1980)