Hitler

AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED by the historian JOHN TOLAND relating to City Center Producer Jean Dalrymple how Robert Benton inaccurately lifted material from his book "The Dillinger Boys" for the movie "Bonnie & Clyde".

1984 · 100963 — <p>Danbury Connecticut September 21 1984. 1984. Fine. - Over 70 words penned on his personal 3-1/2 high by 5-1/2 inch wide postcard stock with his name printed at the top and framed by a blue border. Writing to City Center producer Jean Dalrymple the historian John Toland relates that he "never met Benton" who co-wrote the 1967 screenplay for "Bonnie and Clyde" with David Newman and Robert Towne. He continues that "he & his partner admitted they lifted material from 'The Dillinger Boys'. Years ago I wrote a piece in the Sunday N.Y. Times Magazine section 'The Sad Ballad of Bonnie & Clyde' chiding them for corrupting my material & making B & C look like great people when in fact they were Crumbs de la Crumbs." Signed "John". Addressed to Jean Dalrymple and postmarked on the verso. Near fine.</p><p>The American writer and historian John Toland 1912-2004 is best known for his biography of Adolf Hitler and his history of World War II-era Japan "The Rising Sun" for which he won the Pulitzer Prize. Toland was also the author of "The Dillinger Boys" an account of the depression-era bank robbers and gangsters particularly Public Enemy Number One John Dillinger as well as Baby Face Nelson Ma Barker Machine Gun Kelly and Bonnie and Clyde. Toland was also the author of 26 plays as well as novels.</p><p>The recipient Jean Dalrymple 1902-1998 was the dynamic producer and director of theater and light-opera at Manhattan's City Center. Dalrymple began her career in Vaudeville appearing with James Cagney and Carey Grant in the early 1930s. She was a founding member of the American Theatre Wing the theatre service organization. She worked over the years as a personal manager for the likes of Leopold Stokowski Mary Martin Jos Iturbi Andre Kostalanetz Nathan Milstein and Lily Pons. She began her work at City Center with its founding in 1943 serving as a board member and publicist. Her productions there from the 1940s through the 1960s were a revitalizing influence on the whole New York theatre scene. In 1951 Jean Dalrymple married Major-General Philip deWitt Ginder commander of the Thunderbirds in Korea. She was a friend to Presidents and entertainment personalities throughout the world.</p> Danbury, Connecticut, September 21, 1984.