The Player

New York: Atlantic Monthly, 1988. First Edition. From the library of the great film director Billy Wilder, signed and inscribed by the author, Michael Tolkin, to Mr. Wilder: “For Billy Wilder - With greatest admiration. Michael Tolkin, September 7, 1988.” Laid in is a typed letter signed from Michael Tolkin to Billy Wilder, dated September 7, 1988, and reads in full: “Dear Mr. Wilder, I’m enclosing a copy of my novel, The Player. I don’t know whether to say it’s about Hollywood, or just that it’s set in Hollywood, and that it’s really about Washington, but it doesn’t matter. I would love for you to read it. Kindest regards, Michael Tolkin.” Fine copy in a near fine bright dust jacket with a hint of fading to the spine. ‘The Player’ was made into a feature film with a screenplay by Tolkin, directed by Robert Altman, starring a terrific ensemble cast, including Tim Robbins, Greta Scacchi, Fred Ward, Whoopi Goldberg, Peter Gallagher, Brion James, Vincent D’Onofrio, Dean Stockwell, Richard E. Grant, Sydney Pollack, and Lyle Lovett. It received three Oscar nominations - Best Director, Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, and Best Film Editing. It was also made into a film for television, with a teleplay by Tolkin, and starred Patrick Dempsey, Michael Parks, Archie Kao, Jennifer Garner, and Jennifer Grey. Tolkin is also the writer of the films ‘The Rapture,’ ‘The New Age,’ ‘Deep Impact,’ ‘Changing Lanes,’ and ‘Nine.’ Billy Wilder’s legendary status in Hollywood as a director, screenwriter, and producer includes such classic films as Ninotchka, Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, The Lost Weekend, Stalag 17, Some Like it Hot, The Seven Year Itch, The Apartment, and The Fortune Cookie.