DS, signed “Geo. S. Kaufman" and "Robert E. Sherwood,” two pages, 8.5 x 11, June 25, 1936. Document pertaining to a series of four lawsuits brought upon Samuel Goldwyn, Inc., by George S. Kaufman and Robert E. Sherwood stemming from a contract dated March 20, 1933, regarding services to be rendered by the two writers for "a story and dialogue script, relating to a picture starring Eddie Cantor, and which had reference to the picture entitled, 'Roman Scandals.' The document confirms a settlement of $20,000 to be paid to Howard E. Reinheimer, the attorney for Kaufman and Sherwood, who both signed at the conclusion in fountain pen. A notarized sheet is also attached. In fine condition. The referenced Eddie Cantor vehicle, Roman Scandals, was released in 1933, with writing credits ultimately given to William Anthony McGuire.
The idea of a story in ancient Rome interested Goldwyn and he hired George S. Kaufman and Robert E. Sherwood to write a screenplay. With two anti-war writers working on the story and a director, Frank Tuttle, who was a member of the Communist party, the film should have contained a stronger anti-war message. But Eddie Cantor was at the height of his creative control and was gearing for more of a box office hit than a political message. Sherwood and Kaufman left the project as they quickly found themselves relinquishing their creative control.
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