Textual Feature | Appearance |
---|---|
alterations to base text (additions or deletions) | added or deleted text |
passage deleted with a strikethrough mark | |
passage deleted by overwritten added text | Deleted text Added text |
position of added text (if not added inline) | [right margin] text added in right margin; [above line] text added above the line |
proofreading mark | ‸ |
page number, repeated letterhead, etc. | page number or repeated letterhead |
supplied text | [supplied text] |
archivist note | archivist note |
Thank you for your letter of the 20th, outlining the offer of the Micheaux Film Corporation1 for the motion picture rights of "The House Behind the Cedars."2 I have tried to find out something about this concern, but they are not listed in our "Motion Picture Directory", so I am not too optimistic about their financial standing. Also, their offer of $500 for motion picture rights is small in comparison with prices offered by other concerns. At the same time, as you have pointed out, there is slight probability of your story being accepted for motion picture production by the larger film companies, and we are inclined to agree with you that it would be wise to accept the $500 price rather than receive no return from the motion picture rights for this story.
" As the price is so low, I think you could advantageously insist upon the full payment of the $500 on the signing of the contract. This would make it a cash transaction, and would eliminate theany possibility of your assigning your rights and never receiving payment for them. If Mr. Micheaux is so situated financially that this proposition would be impossible,3 I would suggest your giving him an option on the motion picture rights on the payment of say $100, such option extending to June 15, or the actual date of release, if the story is filmed before that time, and then the $400 payment on or before March 15, when the actual contract can be signed and the full motion picture rights granted Mr. Micheaux. This, I feel, would give you better protection than under the proposition as outlined by Mr. Micheaux.4
" A rearrangement of the story to adapt it for motion picture use, would be essential, and most stories when screened have but slight resemblance to the original. This, if properly handled, should not be detrimental. On the other hand, there is always some advertising value to be gained from the screen presentation of the story, and it is important that in your contract it be stipulated FICTION BIOGRAPHY NATURE SERIES HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY SYNDICATE BUREAU W. B. PRATT MANAGER 4 PARK STREET BOSTON CHILDREN'S STORIES JUVENILE VERSE SPECIAL ARTICLES Mr. Charles W. Chesnutt -- 2 that in advertising, and in the film itself, the statement be always made that the film is based on "The House Behind the Cedars" by Charles W. Chesnutt, by special arrangement with the publishers, Houghton Mifflin Company."5
We will await with interest definite word from you as to the signing of the contract, and will, of course be willing to have the arrangement made either on the basis of a full check to be sent to us, and then forward you two-thirds, or the check sent to you and you account to us for our third.6
With kindest regards,
Very truly yours, HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY. W B Pratt P/GCorrespondent: William Brace Pratt (1886–1961) was a White Bostonian who graduated from Yale in 1906. He worked for Houghton Mifflin's Special Sales department from 1907 to 1929; as the manager of the syndicate bureau, he frequently correspondended with Chesnutt about the film rights to his works in the 1920s.