Summary
Overview
Swanson, H. N. (Harold Norling), 1899-.
H. N. Swanson Files on F. Scott Fitzgerald
0.4 linear feet, 1 archival box
Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections
Manuscripts Division
One Washington Road
Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA
Abstract
Consists primarily of correspondence between F. Scott Fitzgerald's East Coast literary agent, Harold Ober, and his Hollywood agent, H. N. Swanson, from 20 November 1934 through 4 April 1956.
Description
Description
The collection consists primarily of correspondence between F. Scott Fitzgerald's East Coast literary agent, Harold Ober, and his Hollywood agent, H. N. Swanson, from 20 November 1934 through 4 April 1956, regarding attempts to sell Fitzgerald stories to the studios, land Fitzgerald a writing job in Hollywood, and license his works for radio, television, and film after his death. Also included are a typed manuscript (7 pp.) treatment of Tender Is the Night by Sandra MacGown, signed copies of the Vanguard Films, Inc., contract (1946) and motion picture rights assignment (1946) for Tender Is the Night, an extract (5 pp.) from Fitzgerald's 1937 MGM contract, and several Western Union telegrams sent by Fitzgerald to Swanson.
Collection Creator
Biography
Novelist and storywriter F. Scott Fitzgerald first went to Hollywood in 1927, when he was hired to write an original flapper comedy for United Artists. He returned in 1931 to work for Irving Thalberg on the Jean Harlow classic Red-Headed Woman. His third sojourn in Hollywood lasted from 1937 to his death in December of 1940. Though he worked on several projects, Fitzgerald's only screenwriting credit was for Three Comrades, which was based on the Erich Maria Remarque novel. Starring Robert Taylor, Margaret Sullavan, and Robert Young, it was considered to be one of the top ten films for 1938. Normally the studios owned or had a proprietary interest in all creative works produced by staff writers while under contract, but Fitzgerald's agent H. N. Swanson was careful to obtain "layoff periods," gaps of a few weeks during which he could work on his own projects while in Hollywood.
Collection History
Acquisition
Purchased from Bonhams and Butterfields auction in February 2006.
Additonal material was a gift of Glenn Horowitz in July 2010.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by John Delaney in March 2006. Finding aid written by John Delaney in March 2006.
Access and Use
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare Books and Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Preferred Citation
H. N. Swanson Files on F. Scott Fitzgerald; 1934-1956, Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
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