William Brace Pratt to Charles W. Chesnutt, 24 January 1921 William Brace Pratt Stephanie P. Browner Kenneth M. Price Matt Cohen Transcription, encoding, and annotation Ballard, Chaun Anderson, Antje Weakly, Laura K. McMullen, Kevin Millhorn, Lauren Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, University of Nebraska-Lincoln The New School 2024 The Charles W. Chesnutt Archive
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 William Brace Pratt to Charles W. Chesnutt, 24 January 1921 January 24, 1921 Transcription derived from scan of microfilmed original. Western Reserve Historical Society Charles Waddell Chesnutt Papers MS 3370 1 1 Correspondence Micheaux, Oscar The House Behind the Cedars typed letter signed Pratt, William B. Boston, Massachusetts Chesnutt, Charles W. (Waddell) Cleveland, Ohio Unknown Lauren Millhornupdated images Laura K. Weaklyreview Antje Andersonannotated; further corrections Chaun Ballard transcribed, encoded
HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY SYNDICATE BUREAU W. B. PRATT MANAGER 4 PARK STREET BOSTON
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CHILDREN'S STORIES JUVENILE VERSE SPECIAL ARTICLES
January 24, 1921.
Mr. Charles W. Chesnutt, 1105 Williamson Building, Cleveland, Ohio.
Dear Mr. Chesnutt:

Thank you for your letter of the 20th, outlining the offer of the Micheaux Film Corporation for the motion picture rights of "The House Behind the Cedars." 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, 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.

" 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

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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."

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.

With kindest regards,

Very truly yours, HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY. W B Pratt P/G