Graham Greene — The Third Man and the Fallen Idol

London, William Heinemann, 1950. First edition. Cloth. The first edition of the novella 'The Third Man', written by Graham Greene in preparation for the screenplay of the classic film noir. The first edition, first impression. In the original unclipped dust wrapper, depicting the principal cast of the 1949 Carol Reed film: Orson Welles, Trevor Howard, Alida Valli, and Joseph Cotton. An excellent copy of Greene's 'The Third Man' - initially written by Greene in preparation for his screenplay - and 'The Fallen Idol', first published as a short story titled 'The Basement Room', These two novellas were adapted for film in 1949 and 1948 respectively, becoming film noir classics, and remaining two of the most influential British films of the post-war era. The novella, not intended to be published, was composed as a preparation of the screenplay, which Greene also wrote, written over the course of eight weeks as a first step in the production of the film version.  In the original cloth binding in the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally in excellent condition with just minor bumping to head and tail of the spine. Small area of fraying to lower extremity of fore edge. Gift inscription to front free endpaper. Front hinge slightly strained after front free endpaper. Dust wrapper is generally smart, with loss to extremities amateurly replaced with coloured tape, visible to the rear of the wrap. Creasing and the odd handling mark to the wrap. Internally firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed/Very Good.