Lot Details
Lot 153
MIDNIGHT COWBOY Sylvia Miles' draft screenplay from Midnight Cowboy
, with dozens of production photographs, ephemera and a postcard from Dustin Hoffman. An interesting small archive including 1) Sylvia Miles' Midnight Cowboy script. Brad-bound typescript in original blue wrappers with "Midnight Cowboy/Draft Screenplay" and the imprint of Jerome Hellman Productions at foot. 11 1/4 x 8 3/4 inches (28.5 x 22 cm); the script 121 typed numbered leaves, with two inserted leaves at page 28 (Cass's scenes) and laid in are two revised typescript sections, the script and inserts with various typed dates from 2/1/68 to 7/1/68, the Cass sections with various manuscript notes, blue boxes around her lines, etc. Creases and signs of handling but well preserved overall; 2) A postcard from Dustin Hoffman to Sylvia Miles, undated and signed "Dustin" with the note "I'd fuck a million miles for one of your smiles", lightly soiled; 3) A large group of production photographs, including approximately 34 large-format (11 x 14 inches) and approximately 15 smaller (8 x 10 inches) images depicting Miles and Jon Voight on set (including many in various stages of undress or nude); 3) Miles' Certificate of Nomination for Best Supporting Actress, laminated form signed by the president and secretary of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 14 x 12 inches, lifting to laminate; 4) Miles' 1969 Beaux Prix plaque award for Midnight Cowboy, 6 x 4 inches; 5) Three later correspondence items relating to Director John Schlesinger, includes two notes from Schlesinger and one from his biographer.
A quality archive of Sylvia Miles' iconic portrayal of Cass in Midnight Cowboy, which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Then 45 years old, Sylvia Miles would only appear on screen for 6 minutes as Cass, the Park Avenue kept woman who lures the naïve Texan and would-be hustler Joe Buck (Jon Voight) into her apartment for sex. After making love, Cass, down on her luck and between "sponsors," is terribly offended when Buck asks her to pay him and throws a terrific tantrum. Eventually Buck gives her money. Midnight Cowboy has the distinction of being the only X-rated feature film to win the Best Picture Oscar (the film was only the second film with the X rating which was self-imposed). Miles received an Oscar nomination of Best Supporting Actress for this highly regarded performance, which inspired Andy Warhol to offer her the starring role in his 1972 film Heat, and many powerful roles followed.
C Estate of Sylvia Miles
Additional Notes & Condition Report
No condition report? Click here to request one.