Vidal

1957 · Best.-Nr. 014037 — Boston Toronto: Little Brown and Company 1957. INSCRIBED TO JOANNE WOODWARD AND DATED BY THE AUTHOR on the front free endpaper. "To Miss Joanne Woodward-for whom the beautiful part of Ellen was written- Gore Vidal Aug. 1957". One small area of rubbing and brown stain lower 1/3 of spine. Small water mark at top of rear cover. Jacket is darkened at creases some chipping with 1" piece missing from spine at lower portion of "Planet". Light water-stain top of rear panel. Original $2.95 price on front blurb. Photo of Cyril Ritchard and Eddie Mayehoff on rear panel.This is the play based on the television script for an episode of Goodyear Television Playhouse aired on May 8 1955. The play starring Mr. Ritchard who also directed the play ran 388 performances in 1957-58. The play was then made into a Hollywood film starring Jerry Lewis in 1960. We can find no evidence that Miss Woodward ever played the role of Ellen Spelding. Sylvia Davis is listed in the playbill for the TV episode. Sarah Marshall is cast as Ellen in the Broadway play. Joan Blackman played her in the film adaptation. We know from biographical sources that Miss Woodward was a close friend of the author. Some reports suggest that she was engaged to Vidal prior to marrying Paul Newman. Vidal noted that it was all a stunt to attrract Newman's attention to Miss Woodward. She shared a house with Vidal in Los Angeles for a short time. Furthermore Paul Newman shared living quarters with Vidal at an earlier time. An unusual association copy of a work by the acclaimed American writer 1925-2012. Signed by Author. First Edition. Green and White Cloth. Light edge and Corner Wear/Chipped Dust Jacket. Octavo. Little, Brown and Company Hardcover