Manuscripts
This collection contains papers concerning George S. Pelton's agreement and disputes with Jack London concerning the film rights of his novel, The Sea Wolf (1904), and with Cecil B. DeMille concerning various productions of plays and Pelton's efforts to recover money advanced for plays that were never produced. Persons represented by 5 or more pieces:
DeMille, Cecil Blount: 4 letters (1912-1913), HM 50983-50986; 2 documents (1912), HM 50987.
London, Jack: 2 manuscripts (ca. 1912 and ca. 1913), HM 50991-50992; 4 letters (1905-1914), HM 50993-50996. 1 document (1906), HM 50997.
Noel, Joseph J.: 4 manuscripts (1911-ca. 1914), HM 50999-51002; 3 letters (1914), HM 51003-51005; 2 documents (1908-1914), HM 51006-51007.
Pelton, George S.: 21 letters and telegrams (1912-1914), HM 51009-51030; 4 documents (1911-1914), HM 51031-51033.
Some notable items include:
Bradstreet Company. Private investigator's reports on the financial status of Jack London, 1913, September 27, and 1914, April 1. HM 50981-50982.
London, Jack. The Judge: play; typescript, and carbon copy of early draft, (ca. 1912-ca. 1913), HM 50991-50992. Note: Although the play was ascribed to Jack London, he repudiated it in a letter to George S Pelton, March 27, 1914, listed below. London, Jack. Letter (1914, March 27) to George S Pelton accusing Pelton and Joseph J Noel of double-crossing him over the sale of the rights to The Sea Wolf, HM 50995.
Noel, Joseph J. Letters (1914, April 3 and May 10) to George S Pelton discussing Jack London and the Sea Wolf rights disagreement, HM 51004-51005.
Pelton, George S. Letters and telegrams (1914) to his lawyer, Fred W Heath, discussing a possible lawsuit against Cecil Blount DeMille over money advanced to produce plays, HM 51015-51019.
Pelton, George S. Letter (1914, March 31) to Jack London responding to London's accusations concerning The Sea Wolf, HM 51021. Note: This letter is a carbon copy; its original is part of the Jack London Collection, JL 16417.
Pelton, George S. Letters (1914) to Joseph J Noel discussing Jack London and the Sea Wolf disagreement, HM 51025-51029.
mssHM 50981-51034
