BIB_ID
287981
Accession number
MA 6426.3
Creator
Lorentz, Pare.
Display Date
1938 Mar. 1.
Credit line
Purchased on the John F. Fleming Fund, 2007.
Description
1 item (2 p.) ; 26.5 cm
Notes
Frederick Soule was at this time the Regional Information Adviser at the San Francisco office of the Farm Security Administration. The article referenced may be Steinbeck's "Starvation Under the Orange Trees," which he was at this time attempting to publish. (See especially MA 6426.3).
Part of a collection of letters and telegrams primarily between John Steinbeck and Pare Lorentz.
Under the aegis of the Resettlement Administration, Lorentz directed "The Plow that Broke the Plains" and "The River." This "industrial story" (possibly "Ecce homo!") was apparently never produced, and in August 1938 Lorentz was named the first director of the newly created United States Film Service. Steinbeck's "In Dubious Battle" was never made into a film.
Part of a collection of letters and telegrams primarily between John Steinbeck and Pare Lorentz.
Under the aegis of the Resettlement Administration, Lorentz directed "The Plow that Broke the Plains" and "The River." This "industrial story" (possibly "Ecce homo!") was apparently never produced, and in August 1938 Lorentz was named the first director of the newly created United States Film Service. Steinbeck's "In Dubious Battle" was never made into a film.
Provenance
Sale (New York, Bonhams, 20 June 2007, lot 5233).
Summary
Thanking Steinbeck for giving Lorentz permission to dramatize "In Dubious Battle," noting that although he "cannot afford to concentrated on [it] full time" at present, he thinks "it will come off once [he] can plunge into it." Referencing the possibility of Steinbeck writing an article for [Frederick] Soule. Noting that he suggested Soule get in touch with Henry Wallace [U.S. Secretary of Agriculture], and that Wallace "might learn quite a bit about migratory workers from [Steinbeck]." Discussing Lorentz' relationship with "Washington" [i.e., the Resettlement Administration] and their desire for Lorentz to "start work immediately on the industrial story," noting, however, that "they cannot even figure out how to keep a stenographer employed" and that he is "holding back until ... someone there makes a realistic offer." Thanking Steinbeck for his hospitality in San Francisco, and sending love to Carol, inquiring after her lieder singing.
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