DS, four pages, 8.5 x 11, May 6, 1932. Contract between Ernest Hemingway and RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., by which he assigns an option to purchase "all motion picture rights in an to a novel or literary writing and material known as 'The Sun Also Rises'…written by the Author and published by Charles Scribner's Sons" for the consideration of $2,000. Hemingway pens his initials, "E. H.," four times in the margins to approve amendments to the contract pertaining to the option period and distribution of funds (directing $1800 to his ex-wife, Hadley, who received the royalties to The Sun Also Rises as part of their divorce settlement). Neatly signed at the conclusion in fountain pen by Ernest Hemingway and countersigned by Lee Marcus as vice president of RKO. Additionally signed by Hemingway's close friend, Charles P. Thompson, as a witness; the last page is signed by two notaries. In fine condition.
Although RKO did exercise the option to purchase the worldwide motion picture rights for $14,500, the film would not be made for 25 years. The rights were bought and sold several times in ensuing years. Howard Hawks bought the rights in 1948, but the project did not go beyond the development stage. The film ultimately landed in the hands of Darryl F. Zanuck at 20th Century Fox, who hired Peter Viertel, a friend of Hemingway's, to write the script. The film was finally released in 1957, directed by Henry King and starring Tyrone Power, Ava Gardner, Mel Ferrer, and Errol Flynn.
Hemingway was displeased with the result, and walked out after 25 minutes: 'I saw as much of Darryl Zanuck's splashy Cook's tour of Europe's lost generation bistros, bullfights, and more bistros… It's pretty disappointing and that's being gracious. Most of my story was set in Pamplona so they shot the film in Mexico. You're meant to be in Spain and all you see walking around are nothing but Mexicans… It looked pretty silly. The bulls were mighty small for a start, and it looked like they had big horns on them for the day. I guess the best thing about the film was Errol Flynn.'
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