Durousseau, Antoine.

[Scrapbook Compiled by Child Actor Who Appeared in the Film Version of Porgy and Bess.]

Stockton and Los Angeles, California: 1958-1959. 14½” x 12”. String bound commercial scrapbook. 24 leaves with 17 photographs inserted into corner mounts (most measure 3½” x 3½”) and approximately 32 news clippings pasted down; two additional photos and a few items of ephemera laid in.

This is a collection of news clippings, photographs and other ephemera compiled by Antoine Durousseau, a child actor who played the role of Scipio in Otto Preminger's 1959 production of Porgy and Bess.

While most of the material here consists of news clippings, they're important as they provide an organized narrative of the events related to production, including the studio fire which occurred right before dress rehearsals and which caused the film's delay. Photos include two formal headshots of Durousseau by notable Hollywood photographer Amos Carr and a promotional photo of Sidney Poitier inscribed to “Scipio.” There's also a signed promotional photo of Pearl Bailey. The vernacular photos are great—all of them were taken on set and six are in color. Images include several posed shots of actors and a couple were taken from behind the director showing lighting and crew.

Ephemera includes a presumably on-set name sign for Durousseau, a production memo and an invitation to a cast party. Importantly, there are two annotated leaves from Durousseau's Porgy and Bess script.

A brief but bountiful excursion into the production of Preminger's Porgy and Bess.. Item #8348

Price: $1,750.00