Larceny, Inc. [The Night Before Christmas] (Original screenplay for the 1942 film, presentation copy belonging to producer Jerry Wald) by S.J. Perelman (play); Edward G. Robinson, Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason (starring); Lloyd Bacon (director); Laura Perelman (screenwriter); Everett Freeman, Edwin Gilbert (screenwriters) - 1941

N.p.: N.p., 1941. Revised Final script for the 1942 film, seen here under the working title "The Night Before Christmas." Presentation copy belonging to associate producer Jerry Wald, with his name in gilt on the spine. 12 reference photographs from the film bound in variously among the script pages. Annotations in manuscript pencil throughout, noting deletions and substantive additions to dialogue.

Jerry Wald is best remembered for his long and successful association with Warner Brothers as both a screenwriter and producer of a number of notable films, including "Mildred Pierce" (1945), "Humoresque" (1946), "Key Largo" (1948), and "Flamingo Road" (1949). In the 1950s he moved to Twentieth Century-Fox, and was the producer there for "An Affair to Remember" (1957), "Peyton Place" (1957), and "Sons and Lovers" (1960).

Based on Laura and S.J. Perelman's 1941 play "The Night Before Christmas." Three former convicts decide to buy a luggage store in order to tunnel through the floor to the bank next door, but are surprised when their luggage business begins to thrive.

Bound in beige cloth with tan quarter leather binding, with five raised bands and gilt titles on the spine. Distribution page present, with receipt intact, dated 10/29/41, stamped copy No. 106, noted as REV. FINAL. Title page present, with credits for screenwriters Everett Freeman and Edwin Gilbert. 172 leaves, with last page of text numbered 151. Mimeograph duplication, rectos only, with blue revision pages throughout, dated variously between 11/8/41 and 12/1/41. Pages Near Fine, lightly toned at the edges, binding Very Good plus, lightly scratched on the leather.