Details
Asylum, 1972/Stanley Kubrick/Peter Cushing
A quantity of material relating to Roy Ward Baker's 1972 film Asylum, including:
- an autograph letter, signed, from Stanley Kubrick to Roy Ward Baker, on Stanley Kubrick personalised stationery 16th October, 1972, revealing the high regard in which he viewed Ward Baker's work by thanking him ...for helping to arrange the loan of "Asylum". I saw it last Thursday and enjoyed it immensley. I think you know how much I admire your work, and this film only increases my admiration. Good Luck. Best Regards, Stanley, 1p.
- two letters, from Peter Cushing, who played the lead role in Asylum, to Roy Ward Baker, both on Peter Cushing personalised stationery, the earliest, an autograph letter, signed, 25th July, 1972, captures Cushing's excitement ...My dear Roy, I practically ran all the way home from the station here - I just couldn't wait to write you as promised about "Asylum". It is absolutely first rate (knocking "Frenzy" and several other films I've seen recently into many cocked-hats!), telling Ward Baker to put any fears he may have entertained about the film to rest, Cushing continues in a rapturous vein about the performances, lighting settings and locations commenting: ...But to you the honours most deservedly go. The pace is so excellently balanced, suspence held to a fine art, several women in the audience literally screamed - involuntarily - when Richard Todd was caught around the neck from the parceled hand in the deep freeze...it deserves to do well at the box office, I do hope it does in these unpredictable times...; Cushing signing off:.. My congratulations and deep respect...In all Sincerity, Peter, 1p.
- the second, a typescript letter, signed, 20th April, 1973, Cushing informs Baker about a recent French award and expresses his admiration and affection for the recipient ...I was in Paris recently, attending the 2nd French Convention of Fantasy Films. The Organiser, Alain Schlockoff, asked me to let you know of your award. This I do most happily - adding my congratulations on the well-deserved choice..I do hope "The Savage Jackboot" will be made soon. It's a jolly good story, I think - and always such a pleasure to work with you..., 1p. [Asylum was not amongst those films nominated for the Licorne D'Or award referred to in Cushing's letter - the panel of judges apparently decided none of the condtenders fit for the prize, and selected Baker's Asylum as the winner, as Baker comments in his memoirs...very gratifying to be awarded first prize when you haven't even been in the race.];
- a final shooting script for Asylum, 1972, 118pp. of mimeographed typescript, the blue cardboard cover signed in white pencil Roy Baker, some pages annotated in pencil or blue ballpoint pen with Baker's notes on direction and minor script changes, with eleven additional mimeographed typescript pages, one titled Cast List, the other titled Unit List, detailing addresses and telephone numbers; - a quantity of correspondence relating to the production, including a letter and contract on British Broadcasting Corporation headed stationery regarding an appearance on Film Night to talk about Asylum;
- a quantity of ephemera relating to the awards ceremony for the Paris film festival, La Convention Francaise Du Cinema Fantastique, 1973, including the Grand Prix Licorne D'Or presented to Roy Ward Baker for Asylum, the award a gilded metal stylized figure of a unicorn mounted on a black marble plinth with a copper plaque engraved Grand Prix International De La II Convention Francaise Du Cinéma Fantastique, Paris 1973 -- 13in. (33cm.) high; a press release announcing that the Licorne D'Or, had been awarded to Roy Ward Baker for Asylum; Baker's typescript acceptance speech in French, with amendments in French in his hand; a typescript letter, signed, on L'Ecran Fantastique headed stationery, dated 4th May, 1973, from Alain Schlockoff to Baker, thanking him for attending the ceremony; - a quantity of British, French and South African press clippings regarding the release of Asylum, including clippings from Variety magazine listing Asylum amongst the 50 Top-Grossing Films for seven separate weeks in 1972;
- approximately thirty-four corresponding black and white stills, six of Baker receiving his award at the 2nd French Convention Of Fantasy Films, the rest of Baker with cast and crew on the set of Asylum, some backed on foam board, majority -- 8x10in. (20.3x25.4cm.) (a lot)
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