Middle of the Night. A Play by Paddy Chayefsky
signed first edition
1956 · New York
by CHAYEFSKY, PADDY (EDWARD G. ROBINSON, GENA ROWLANDS)
New York: Joshua Logan, 1956. First Edition. Signed presentation copy from actor Edward G. Robinson to actress and co-star, Gena Rowlands, affectionately inscribed: “To Gena dear - I cherish you - I cherish you like - you were a diamond. Eddie Robinson, Nov. ‘56.” This was Gena Rowlands’ personal copy, custom bound in full light brown gilt stamped leather with raised bands on the spine, marble endpapers, and with her name gilt-stamped to the lower right corner of the front board. 80 pages. With three dialogue corrections in the first scene, hand-written in blue ink, in an unknown hand. Bound in is the playbill for the original Broadway production of the play, Middle of the Night, which was produced and directed by Joshua Logan, and which starred Edward G. Robinson, Gena Rowlands, Effie Afton, Martin Balsam, Joan Chambers, and Anne Jackson. The front cover of the playbill has a black & white photograph of Mr. Robinson from the production and there is a photo of Mr. Robinson and Miss Rowlands from the set of the play inside the playbill. The playbill is in fine condition. Mr. Robinson and Miss Jackson were both nominated for Tony Awards, as was Jo Mielziner for Best Scenic Design and Larry Bland for Stage Technician. Harry Green won a Tony for his work as Stage Technician. The play served as the basis for the film version with the same title, which was directed by Delbert Mann, written by Paddy Chayefsky, and starred Fredric March and Kim Novak in the roles developed by Robinson and Rowlands on Broadway. Fredric March was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actor - Drama. (Inventory #: 16870E)