Hollywood

1949 · 16360J — Beverly Hills: Roland Reed Productions 1949. Original 120 page mimeographed screenplay custom hardbound in full textured maroon cloth with gilt-stamping. This script was screenwriter Jesse Lasky Jr.’s own personal copy with his name stamped on the cover. Lasky has signed the script on the title page writing: “Produced by the Lutheran Church for showing in their schools universities and laymen groups and churches Jesse Lasky Jr.†The Sickle or the Cross is a 1949 American drama film directed by Frank Strayer which stars Kent Taylor Gloria Holden and Gene Lockhart. The screenplay was written by Jesse L. Lasky Jr. Produced and distributed by the Lutheran Laymen's League with the production filmed at the Hal Roach Studio in Hollywood it had its world premiere in Burbank California on July 1 1949. In 1952 Astor Pictures Corporation and RKO Pictures bought rights to the picture and distributed it to theaters across America retitling it - Seeds of Destruction. Reverend John Burnside American missionary in the Far East prepares to return home after twenty years to take up the fight against Communism. The Chinese Communists imprison him and send in his place a spy who is his double but who is instructed to come out for Communism. The spy is accepted in Burnside’s home town and he reports to local Communist headquarters where James John prominent local businessman but in reality a Red agent has instructions to assist him in all details of his mission. He does a series of personal appearances and radio interviews and talk shows using an anti-Communist approach. Meanwhile he is getting the chance to see how Americans live and the part that religion plays in their lives and there is also a slight romance between him and Burnside's former sweetheart Louise Cannon who thinks he is the man she knew twenty-years previously. Then comes the night when he is scheduled to go on the air on an international hook-up at which time he is do an about-face and speak on the virtues of Communism. Instead he tears up his pro-Communist speech and denounces Communism. Red agents kill him and they are rounded up by the FBI. The real Burnside in a North Korean prison hears the broadcast. About fine with just a hint of edge wear. Roland Reed Productions hardcover