Lot 666
Wayne, John. John Wayne's personal copy of the Final Script for "The High and the Mighty" signed with Wayne's name and address on the second title page: "Duke Wayne / 2686 Bayshore Dr. / Newport Beach." The script is dated July 15, 1953 and has 133 pages. Light wear to the cover and the pages are lightly toned throughout; there is one smear in the address ("Dr."). The movie was co-produced by Wayne and Robert Fellows. Ernest K. Gann wrote the story and screenplay and William A. Wellman directed. Wayne insisted that the movie be filmed in CinemaScope. Wayne starred as first officer on a flight from California to Hawaii which developed engine problems midway. Robert Stack (as the captain) and Claire Trevor and Jan Sterling co-starred.
The film premiered at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre on May 27, 1954 and was commercially released on July 3, 1954. It grossed $8.5 million. Dimitri Tiomkin won an Academy Award for Best Original Music Score and Claire Trevor and Jan Sterling were nominated for Best Supporting Actress (Jan Sterling received the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress). The film also received nominations for Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Music, Original Song. Wayne was ahead of his time by starring in and producing a movie, long before Clint Eastwood and other stars did so. "The High and the Mighty" also served as a precursor to airborne disaster such as "Airport."
Estimated Value $1,200 - 1,500.
|
| |
| Unsold |
