Celebrated screenwriter and film director (1898-1959). Sturges took the screwball comedy format of the 1930s to another level, writing dialogue that, heard today, is often surprisingly naturalistic, mature, and ahead of its time, despite the farcical situations. ALS in French, signed “Preston,” three pages both sides, 5.5 x 7, Dorchester Hotel, London letterhead, March 14, 1954. Sturges writes to Maurice Bessy, making reference to several contemporary directors. He starts with a reference to Abel Gance, from whom he is expecting a letter, and then writes about his own current film project, which “cannot start until May or even June.” He refers to having recently seen Pagnol’s Manon des Sources: “My God, he has such talent! It’s disgusting!… What dialogue! What a wonderful story! What ‘performances.’ I’d like to shake Pagnol’s hand. I’ve also seen ‘Le Voyage de M. Hulot.’ This Tati is extraordinary. He clearly knows all the silent films of the great comics.... It’s good to know one’s profession. Everything that we have seen belongs to us. It does one good to live like that....” Sturges finishes with a discussion of another film and quotes Alexandre Dumas fils, “who gave this advice to a young author: ‘How does one ensure that one’s work is a success? Very simple—the beginning should be clear, the ending should be short, and all of it interesting.” In very fine condition. RRAuction COA.
