Ben Hecht — To Quito and Back

New York, Covici Friede Publishers, 1937. First edition. Cloth. A first edition play script with original unclipped dust wrapper, by successful screenwriter Ben Hecht. A first edition playscript, in original yellow publisher's cloth. From the theatrical collection of Clive Hirschhorn, theatre critic for the Sunday Express from 1966 to 1993. Known for his witty and thorough reviews, features and interviews, Hirschhorn also authored several works on the film industry, including his critically acclaimed biographies of Hollywood stars, Gene Kelly and James Mason.  A renowned book collector, the majority of works from Hirschhorn"s incredible library of theatre-related material have a characteristic pencil inscription with his date of acquisition to the upper corner of the paste down. With original unclipped dust wrapper.  Written by American screenwriter, director, producer, playwright, journalist and novelist Ben Hecht. Hecht was credited in around seventy films, including six which received Academy Award nominations, and two which received Academy wins. He was involved in a variety of films, including Scarface, Gunga Din, and two Alfred Hitchcock films: Spellbound and Notorious. He worked uncredited on Gone with the Wind, His Girl Friday, The Sun Also Rises, and The Greatest Show on Earth, and many more. Hecht wrote several articles and plays motivated by his staunch Zionism. He subsequently wrote numerous screenplays attempting to avoid a British boycott of his work throughout the 1940s and 1950s. The boycott was motivated by Hecht's support for paramilitary action against British Mandate for Palestine forces. Bound in original yellow cloth. In original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, in lovely condition. Slight fading to board top edges and spine. Mild bumping to head and tail. Dust wrapper smart. Moderate chipping to extremities. Small loss to front fly leaf hinge. Mild age toning and rubbing to extremities. Small closed tear to dust wrapper rear joint. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally bright and clean. Mild handling mark and spotting to text block edges. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good.