INSCRIBED BY BUDD SCHULBERG
SCHULBERG, Budd. What Makes Sammy Run? New York: Modern Library, (1952). Small octavo, original gray cloth, original dust jacket. $1800.
Later edition of Schulberg’s controversial first novel—"one of the best Hollywood novels ever written"—winner of the National Critics’ Choice award for Best First Novel, inscribed by him in green ink: "For Sally, This small token of my deep appreciations for your thoughtfulness and kindness. Until our next foray into Brooklyn—Best wishes, Budd Schulberg."
Recalling the genesis of his breakthrough book, screenwriter and novelist Budd Schulberg said it arose from a sense that "the seasons of success and failure are more violent in America than anywhere else on earth… and that Hollywood was only an exaggerated version" of this dynamic. Published on his 27th birthday, this remains "one of the best Hollywood novels ever written… a minor classic of this form" (Vinson, 1218-19). His story of an ambitious young man's meteoric rise to become head of a major studio prompted the New York Times to call it "unquestionably one of the most interesting and promising first novels to appear in several years." F. Scott Fitzgerald praised it as "a grand book, utterly fearless." First published in 1941. This Modern Library edition includes an Introduction written by Schulberg for this edition. With a note from Schulberg's mother, and literary agent, Adeline "Ad" Schulberg laid in. The note, on "Memo from Ad Schulberg" letterhead, reads: "Darling—Budd autographed this weeks ago and thought we'd all dine together but his stay was terribly hectic—what with magazine commitments and auditions for Biro's production of 'Sammy.' He finally planed back to Mexico last Saturday. Now that the tension has eased will you dine with me Wednesday the 22nd? I'll ring Fannie and hope she can make it. Huge love, Ad." Sammy was adopted for television for NBC Sunday Showcase in 1959, and then for Broadway in 1964.
Book fine, a touch of rubbing to extremities of dust jacket. A near-fine inscribed copy.