Darryl F. Zanuck – producer and co-founder of Twentieth Century Fox. Signed letter “Darryl,” March 29, 1948, two pages, to Hollywood columnist and publicist Irving Hoffman. Zanuck gives behind the scenes blow-by-blow accounting of his being passed over for the prestigious Thalberg award. Although he was not present, he reports division between camps for Jerry Wald and Dore Schary. Zanuck’s 1948 letter counts the votes for the 1947 award, when no award was made – for reasons explained in his letter. Wald did win the prize in 1948.
Zanuck explains his being passed over. “The biggest objection against me was the fact that I have won it twice previously. This of course is really stupid. We were the only studio with 22 nominations and 2 pictures nominated in the best 5 … However, you would be surprised to know that there are still a number of people who think that a subject like Gentleman’s Agreement should not be put on the screen.”
The same arguments must have carried over into 1949, when, for the second time, no award was made. Then in 1950 Zanuck won for the third time, overcoming the “stupid” objections of two years earlier. The Irving Thalberg award recognizes producers for the body of their work rather than an individual film. It is considered one of the entertainment industry’s highest honors for creativity behind the cameras.
This is a fabulous and rare look into the politics of Hollywood awards during its Golden Age, from one of the industry’s biggest names. It is in fine condition with minor paperclip stain on the top left margin. Two pages.
[#6647]
Darryl F. Zanuck – producer and co-founder of Twentieth Century Fox. Signed letter “Darryl,” March 29, 1948, two pages, to Hollywood columnist and publicist Irving Hoffman. Zanuck gives behind the scenes blow-by-blow accounting of his being passed over for the prestigious Thalberg award. Although he was not present, he reports division between camps for Jerry Wald and Dore Schary. Zanuck’s 1948 letter counts the votes for the 1947 award, when no award was made – for reasons explained in his letter. Wald did win the prize in 1948.
Zanuck explains his being passed over. “The biggest objection against me was the fact that I have won it twice previously. This of course is really stupid. We were the only studio with 22 nominations and 2 pictures nominated in the best 5 … However, you would be surprised to know that there are still a number of people who think that a subject like Gentleman’s Agreement should not be put on the screen.”
The same arguments must have carried over into 1949, when, for the second time, no award was made. Then in 1950 Zanuck won for the third time, overcoming the “stupid” objections of two years earlier. The Irving Thalberg award recognizes producers for the body of their work rather than an individual film. It is considered one of the entertainment industry’s highest honors for creativity behind the cameras.
This is a fabulous and rare look into the politics of Hollywood awards during its Golden Age, from one of the industry’s biggest names. It is in fine condition with minor paperclip stain on the top left margin. Two pages.
[#6647]