Search Results: Theater and Film from AARDWOLF Fine Books

The Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery, San Marino, CA, . 9" by 15 3/4". Huntington Library reproduction, from the original in its collection, of a playbill broadside announcing two comedies plus singers and a tumbling act to be presented in Philadelphia by Thomas Wade West and John Bignall’s American theatrical troupe The Virginia Company Of Comedians Friday evening, August 3rd, 1792. First on the bill is "More Ways Than One," authored by successful 18th century English dramatist Hannah Cowley, creator of many major plays of the period, who famously accused playwright Hannah More of plagiarism. "Ways And Means," the second play, was authored by George Coleman Jr., popular London dramatist who was later made Examiner Of Plays by the British Crown, but whose alleged double standard and severity of censorship with the works of others resulted in extreme unpopularity with his colleagues. Tickets are advertised for purchase at Prichard’s Book Store, fixing the… Read More

L’Academie Nationale De Musique & De Danse, Paris, 1905; octavo (6" x 9"); 16 pages; photo illustrated. Paris National Opera weekly program schedule, with notes for productions for August 7-11, 1905. Nicely illustrated with full-page portrait photos of star performers Madame Carrére, Marcel Nivette, M. Dubois, Alice Verlet, Mlle. Ricotti, Andre Gresse, M. Cancelier, and Jean Bartet, costumed for their various roles in Les Huguenots, Faust , and Romeo et Juliette. Full-page display ads for Pavillon Bleu Saint Cloud Hotel and Restaurant, and Carrosserie and Hotchkiss automobiles. Attractively bound in card wraps with beautiful lithographed cover art. Very Good, no chips or tears, no ownership signatures or any other markings of any kind.

Philadelphia, PA, . Collection of early Philadelphia Orchestra programs and broadsheets, to include: 1.) a four-page 6" x 9" program for a series of descriptive lecture concerts, Fritz Scheel conducting, Nov. 28 through Dec. 12, 1905; 2.) a 6" x 9" broadsheet advertising a 1911 concert, under the leadership of Carl Pohlig, featuring Ernestine Schumann-Heink singing an aria from Gounod’s "Sapho" and selections from Liszt and Schubert; 3.) 1909 and 1911 Philadelphia Orchestra Request Ballots, traditionally given to orchestra patrons in order to make their music selections for season’s final program; 4.) a 5" x 7" notice to patrons that, due to popular request, conductor Carl Pohlig has replaced two Strauss pieces with Weber’s Oberon Overture and Beethoven’s Coriolanus Overture, in what was intended to be solely a Richard Strauss program in an upcoming concert; 5.) a twelve-page 6" x 9" Philadelphia Orchestra Program for the complete 1913-1914… Read More

Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, 1907; 12mo, 24 pages. Official program for a production of "The Manxman" at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles, March 25, 1907, with dramatization by Hall Caine and Wilson Barrett and starring Lewis Stone, famed in later years for his portrayal of the father in the popular MGM Mickey Rooney "Andy Hardy" film series. Dozens of display advertisements throughout for early Los Angeles businesses including Cawston Ostrich Farms in Pasadena, Levy’s Cafe on Third and Main, and the Wm. H. Hoegee Sporting Goods Co. on Main Street picturing the latest in 1907 automobile attire, etc. Handsome full page color ad for the Angeles Hotel on the back cover featuring a spray of bright orange California poppies framing a view of the building and inviting theatergoers to dine at the hotel’s Angeles Grill after the performance. "The Manxman" was twice adapted in later years for the silent screen: by George Loane Tuckern in 1917, and by Alfred Hitchcock in… Read More

London, circa 1860; quarto (10 3/8" x 12 1/2"); heavy brown paper wraps. Handwritten music score for Watts Phillips’ historic 19th c. dramatic stage play "The Dead Heart, A Tale Of The Bastille," Three Act Play with prologue set amidst the turmoil of the French Revolution, first performed at London’s Adelphi Nov. 10, 1859. Six pages of music by Alfred Mellon, for horn, including opening music, a dance, a song for the character of Reboule, two brief cues, and music for the beginning of Act One. Highly popular in its day, "The Dead Heart" became the subject of much controversy when mutual claims of plagiarism arose between the playwright and Charles Dickens. In 1857 Phillips had submitted the play, together with two others, to actor/impresario Benjamin Webster for consideration at the Adelphi. As the first two plays were not well received by audiences, Webster delayed production of "The Dead Heart." However in 1859 the first serialized parts of Dickens’… Read More

Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Hollywood, 1939; Vintage 8"x10" glossy silver gelatin photograph of Lionel Barrymore and Laraine Day in the 1939 film "Calling Dr. Kildare," second in the MGM series of Dr. Kildare pictures. Photo shows Dr. Gillespie (Barrymore) speaking to nurse Mary Lamont (Day) who has been assigned to work with Kildare in order to surreptitiously report on his progress as a diagnostician at an inner city clinic. Excellent condition, no creases, chips, or tears.

Paramount Studios, Hollywood, 1933; Original studio 8"x10" glossy silver gelatin photograph of Buster Crabbe in Paramount’s 1933 adventure film "King Of The Jungle," intended as competition for MGM’s successful Tarzan pictures. Adapted from the novel "The Lion’s Way" by Charles Thurley Stoneham, the movie tells the story of a boy who was adopted and raised by wild animals in Africa but is subsequently captured by a Safari and taken to civilization where he is made part of a circus act. Crabbe went on to star in both the Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers serials for Universal, becoming the hero of every young boy in America. Excellent condition, clean, crisp, bright, glossy. Small soft corner crease in the white border at upper right, outside the image area.

Paramount Pictures, Hollywood, 1939; Original 8"x10"glossy silver gelatin photograph of a scene from the 1939 Paramount picture "The Gay Days Of Victor Herbert," changed before release to "The Great Victor Herbert," which garnered Academy Award nominations for Best Musical Score and Best Sound Recording that year. Mary Martin’s first major movie role, she is pictured here with Allan Jones and Walter Connolly in a lavish stage number. Supporting cast included Susanna Foster, Jerome Cowan, Judith Barrett, and John Garrick. An original production photo, still bearing the film’s working title. Excellent condition, clean, crisp, bright, glossy, no chips or tears. There is a small soft corner crease at upper right of approximately 1 1/2" in length, with no cracking of the emulsion.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Hollywood, 1939; Original 8"x10" glossy silver gelatin photograph of Mickey Rooney in MGM’s 1939 movie "Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever," seventh in the Andy Hardy series. Pictured here is Andy with girlfriend Polly Benedict (Ann Rutherford), Andy’s mother, Mrs. Hardy (Fay Holden), and Andy’s Aunt Milly Forrest, played by actress Sara Haden. Fine condition in all respects, clean, crisp, bright, and glossy.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Hollywood, 1939; Original 8"x10" glossy photograph of eight year old Johnny Sheffield as "Boy" in MGM’s 1939 movie "Tarzan Finds A Son!" with Johnny Weismuller as Tarzan and Maureen O’Sullivan as Jane. Chosen from among hundreds of young boys at a studio casting call to which he had been taken by his father, this was Shefffield’s first movie role and first of the MGM Tarzan pictures featuring the Boy character. Sheffield appeared in a total of eight Tarzan pictures, then went on to star in twelve films for Monogram as Bomba The Jungle Boy, a role adapted from the popular Cupples & Leon books. He played the childhood Knute Rockne in the feature film "Knute Rockne, All American," and later starred in an unsuccessful television pilot entitled "Bantu The Zebra Boy." Excellent condition, clean, crisp, bright, glossy, no creases, chips, or tears.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Hollywood, 1939; Vintage 8"x10" glossy silver gelatin photograph of Lionel Barrymore, Laraine Day, and Lew Ayres in the 1939 film "Calling Dr. Kildare," second in MGM’s series of Dr. Kildare pictures. Photo shows Dr. Gillespie (Barrymore) checking the progress of Dr. Kildare (Lew Ayres), as nurse Mary Lamont (Laraine Day) looks on. Fine condition, clean, crisp, bright, glossy, no creases, chips, or tears.

Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Hollywood, 1939; Original 8"x10" glossy silver gelatin photograph of Mickey Rooney in the 1939 MGM movie "Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever," seventh in the Andy Hardy series of pictures. Story revolves around the summer crush Andy develops for his high school play drama teacher after his girlfriend jilts him for a navy man. Seen here is Andy clowning around on stage with girlfriend Polly Benedict, played by Ann Rutherford. Fine condition, clean, crisp, bright, no creases, chips, or tears.

G.P. Putnam’s Sons, NY, 1974; First Edition; Signed; 8vo, 380 pages; photo illustrated. Biography of legendary film, stage and television actor Paul Muni, five-time Academy Award nominee and Oscar Winner in 1936 for his role in "Pasteur." Written by distinguished American playwright Jerome Lawrence, author of "Inherit The Wind," which starred Muni on Broadway. Lawrence, close friend and associate, was regarded by Muni as his adopted son. Warmly inscribed and signed on the f.f.e.p. by Lawrence on date of release, October 21, 1974. Very Good Plus, in a Very Good dust jacket which has a couple of tiny closed edge tears at the extremities of the spine panel. Clean, crisp, bright, and sharp.

, circa 1850; 8" x 12 1/2" original 19th c. holographic manuscript of the first act of an unnamed stage play set amidst the inhabitants of Gordon Mansion, a prosperous Virginia Plantation. In an opening vignette a group of slaves lie about resting and singing when two, Sambo and Dulcimer, become engaged in name-calling, which quickly turns into a fight. A field boss arrives to break it up and drive them back to work with the crack of a whip. The story proper concerns an educated black slave by the name of Harry who is appointed overseer of the estate by Col. Gordon upon his deathbed and entrusted with the safekeeping of the Colonel’s daughter Nina. The Colonel then reveals that he, Harry, is his eldest son, thus making Nina Harry’s half sister. Harry gives his word he will carry out the Master’s wishes. Harry and Nina have been unexplainably close, and with his newfound knowledge Harry is torn between his desire to divulge to Nina the truth of their relationship, or keeping it… Read More

Kyra Coffie, San Bernardino, CA, 2011; Large 8vo, 406 pages; illustrated. Complete guide to the Avid system, specifically designed for the assistant editor. Profusely illustrated with color desktop snapshots of all tools, procedures and timelines under discussion. Detailed chapters on capturing, file-based media, multigrouping, audio, backgrounds and effects, outputs, import/export, etc. Fine, in illustrated wraps.

Henry Holt & Co./ Donald Hutter , New York, 1990; First Edition; quarto, 192 pages; illustrated. Joe Adamson’s biography of America’s beloved rabbit, the irrepressible Bugs Bunny, "from humble beginnings to a star on Hollywood Boulevard." Profusely illustrated in color and black and white. Prefaces by Fritz Freleng and Chuck Jones. Extensive filmography and bibliography at the back. Warmly inscribed and signed on the title page by the author April 6, 1990 at Santa Monica, California. Fine, in a Very Good Plus dust jacket that has not been price clipped. Clean, crisp, bright, sharp, no chips, no tears.

Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1989; First American Edition; 4to, 192 pages. Richard Schickel’s in depth biography of film legend Cary Grant, including substantial background material for all of Grant’s movies. Profusely illustrated. An informative and heartwarming book. Very Good Plus, in a Very Good Plus dust jacket. No price-clipping, no ownership signatures or any other markings of any kind. Clean, crisp, bright and sharp.

Schott, Mainz, 1955; 7 1/2" x 11", 76 pages. Entire musical score for instruments and chorus, with complete Latin lyrics, for Carl Orff’s Catulli Carmina, sequel to Carmina Burana and second work in the trilogy. Edition Schott #4565. Fine, in printed gray card wraps. Clean, crisp, bright, and sharp, no chips or tears.

, . 8" x 10" glossy silver gelatin photograph of dancer/actress Eleanor Powell, whose pyrotechnic footwork earned her the moniker "Queen Of Tap." As a child Powell was forced by her mother to enroll in dance classes as a means of overcoming her shyness, and much to her own surprise excelled to such an extent that by age twelve she was opening dinner shows in Atlantic City and performing at private social events, where she met Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, who became her mentor. Between 1935 and 1945 Powell famously partnered with Fred Astaire, Buddy Ebsen, and George Murphy in such movies as Born To Dance, Rosalie, Broadway Melody of 1936, Honolulu, Broadway Melody of 1938, and Broadway Melody of 1940, which featured the legendary dance routine Begin The Beguine, widely considered the greatest tap number in film history. When once asked about Powell, Fred Astaire commented, "She put ‘em down like a man, no ricky-ticky sissy stuff with Ellie. She really knocked out a… Read More

, circa 1860; 8" x 10", 20 pages; 1/4 leather; marbled boards. Actor’s prompt book for "Fool Of The Family" one act comedy taking place on the estate of prosperous land owner Mr. Sanders, indulgent father of two nubile daughters, the elder of which, Lucretia, is conscious of her elevated social position and affects high society manners, while Betty, the "fool of the family," is rustic, frank to a fault, perfectly content with kitchen work and farming chores, and thus a source of some embarrassment to her sister. Lucretia is openly pursued by Augustus Gumption, foppish aristocratic milksop with an eye on her dowry. Betty is secretly desired by Zebulon, a common farm hand who has just been promoted to farm manager by Mr. Sanders and so feels qualified to seek the hand of the squire’s daughter. Geographic setting not specified, but references to Boston would suggest somewhere in New England. Author unidentified, however initials R.M.B. are inscribed on the verso of… Read More