September 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, September 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2013
Al Capp collection of personally-owned script drafts from ''Li'l Abner'', the Broadway musical based on his famous comic strip. The musical comedy opened on 15 November 1956 and was an instant hit, with a run of 693 performances and subsequent nationwide tour and Hollywood film. Tony Award-winning comedic spoof was based on the wildly popular strip featuring Li'l Abner, a hillbilly from Dogpatch, Kentucky. Written by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, with music written by Gene dePaul and lyrics by Johnny Mercer, scripts include (1) a 110pp. copy in two acts with title page detached, with scattered notes in pencil throughout. (2) a ''Key For M. Frank'' (Melvin Frank) copy as is written to cover, runs 61pp. with a typed two-page typed revision note by Capp himself, reading in part, ''Please regard this as simply a first draft of my suggestions for revisions of your second draft. In this I have tried to get inside the people who surround Li'l Abner, expose their motivations to the audience. I am afraid that in the original they behaved just badly, without credible motivation...I have omitted the very necessary further love scenes between Abner and Daisy since I feel that they must in the first act have one continuing theme -- the eagerness of Daisy Mae -- the reluctance of Li'l Abner -- but his reluctance must include a real love for Daisy Mae that is apparent to the audience -- but not to him...'' (3) a third 99pp. draft of the script again with scattered pencil notations, and lastly (4) a ''Capp Revision'' of a 61pp. version of the script as is written in pencil to cover, as well as a note, ''Call me to 10:15 a.m...Thanks / Al''. With the same typed revision note by Capp included. Scripts measure 8.5'' x 11'' and each have metal fasteners or brass tacks and are housed in a black binder. Pages are very worn and soft with toning from age, including chips and separation to a few of the pages. Else very good overall.
Collection of Four Scripts For the 1956 Musical ''Li'l Abner'' Based on the Comic by Al Capp from His Personal Collection -- Each With notes and Revisions in His Hand
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