As Ever, Scott Fitz——
(Correspondence of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Harold Ober)

1937-1940
Hollywood

612. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 2pp. (AO)

Jan 2nd Johns Hopkins Hosptial Baltimore. But Stafford Hotel after tomorrow.

Dear Harold:

I've owed you a letter a long time.

1st as to money. I arranged another loan but I hope to God this new story* (last version now at typists) will sell quick as I have enough for a fortnight only + am at the end of borrowing on mother's little estate until it's settled in April.

2nd I can do no more with Thumbs Up. I think I told you that it's [somewhat arbitrary] shifting around was due to my poor judgement in founding it arbitrarily on two unrelated events in father's family—the Thumbs Up and the Empresses Escape. I dont think I ever put more work on a story with less return. Its early diffuseness was due, of course, to my inability to measure the length of dictated prose during the time my right arm was helpless—that's why it strung out so long.

I suggest this—send it to Esquire—I owe them $500. See if they'll accept this in full payment—maybe something more. They paid me 200-250 for a mere appearance (1000 to 2000 wds of any sort in any genre)—but at least twice they've published Hemmingway long stories—one of 6000 + one that must have been 9000 or over. At least it would clear up that debt + in dire emergency I could get a couple of hundred there instead of having to go to mechanics loan offices as has been the case this last terrible year.

3d Scottie I'd promised to give Scotty a little tea dance + arranged it should cost $60. Every child in Baltimore came, it seemed to me + brought their friends. Immediately afterwards she went to the country with her friend Peaches—and I came to the hospital with 104° + raging flu to spend Xmas to New Years.

I'm all right now—(back on the absolute wagon by the way) + could have gone out today except that it's sleety. My plan is have Scottie join me at The Stafford tomorrow for a day or so—I've seen nothing of her + in any case the Baltimore schools open Monday so her friends can't keep her or rather they would but none of the adults are close enough to me so that she would feel quite at home there.

The alternative arises—either she comes south with me at extra expense of time + money for a week (My God why do they open these schools the 11th!) or she visits you or Max—I couldn't send her to what would for her be strangers just now unless it were urgent. But I know how Xmas leaves anyone, you + Anne included + be frank with me. Her aunt, Mrs Smith, is under the surgeons knife + that's out + I'm so out of touch with all other New York friends that I don't know who to ask. She has one standing invitation—but it is to a tuberculosis Chateau! (Gerald + Sara Murphy of whom you've heard me speak.**

Anyhow I'll be at the Stafford all Monday anyhow finishing the last infinitismal details of mother's affairs. Let me know what. Then I've got to go see Zelda.

This last is general: I can live cheaper at a hotel I know in Tryon N.C. (Oak Hall), than at Grove Park (Ashville). As far as I can plan ahead it seems better to go to the*** former place for a few months. It is warmer and I am still in such wretched health that such a fact means a lot. The arm has healed right + I should be thankful. Perhaps I shall be pushing you along more hopeful indications before the first grass pushes up. Anyhow wire me (Stafford) about Scottie

F.S.F.

Notes:

* “They Never Grow Older.”

** The Murphys were friends from the Riviera, and Fitzgerald dedicated Tender Is the Wight to them. Their son was in a sanitarium.

*** The rest of the letter is written along the left margin.

613. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Hotel Stafford Baltimore, Md.

Dear Scott:

I have no idea whether you are still in Baltimore. You say in your letter that you are going to Tryon but you don't say when.

I have your telegram and we are looking forward to seeing Scottie Saturday afternoon. Anne has wanted to write to Scottie but doesn't know where to reach her.

I have the letter you wrote me on January 2nd and I will answer it further when I know where you are. We wish Scottie could be with us longer but a few days will be better than nothing.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

January 6, 1937

Attempting to pull himself together, Fitzgerald went to Tryon, North Carolina, for the winter and spring of 1937; there, with the aid of a doctor, he tried to stop drinking completely.

614. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 2pp. n.d.—received 2 February 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

This will reach you with the story I imagine I have no illusions about it—it was written, delayed, rewritten, finished twice + rewritten. If you think it is too bad don't show it to the Post, but unless you have some extraordinarily good suggestion you might show it to some one + get a reaction.

I am located as above * —Three weeks on the absolute wagon and comparitively well. I went over my affairs thoroughly and in consequence laid the situation before Zelda's doctor + obtained an immense reduction. At present the basic costs of the Fitzgerald family (I mean food + board + Zelda's doctors + Scottie's school) are

Me $35.00 American plan

Zelda 41.00 Hospital

Scotty 25.00 School

per week 101.00

This of course doesn't include Insurance, taxes, work expenses, clothes + extras but it should certainly give me leaway to dig into this terrible [burden] burden of debt which has been a 3 yr. nightmare. Just think—the 1st six months of this year I made $10,000— the second six months, after the accident, I made $500 (Esquire)

By the way—what of Thumbs Up?

And so it goes. I shall be here the rest of the winter, making a weekly trip to Ashville.

I enjoyed meeting your family, would have enjoyed it more if I hadn't made the trip on stimulants. A couple of nights at Hopkins ironed me out and I shall be on the wagon as far as I can see ahead.

Ever Your Friend Scott Fitzg

P.S. If I can write a couple of good stories I don't particularly care about going west. I'm not very strong yet. After this long blank period I ought to have good material in me. I feel much less desperate than at Xmas. You were damned kind.

Notes:

* This letter has no return address.

615. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I am going to try to sell THEY NEVER GROW OLDER but it doesn't seem to me that it is wise to offer it to the Post. The next story of yours I show them I want to be a really good Scott Fitzgerald story. If you will wait about a week and read the story over I think you will agree with me that it hasn't the quality your stories ought to have.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

February 4, 1937

616. To Ober

Wire to Ober 18 February 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

JOHN OHARA THE WRITER WIRES THAT MAN LOCATED AT FOUR SEVENTY WEST TWENTY FOURTH STREET IS USING MY NAME STOP WILL YOU MAKE INQUIRIES STOP PERHAPS CONTACT OHARA FOR INFORMATION FITZGERALD.

617. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I received your telegram about the man who is using your name here in New York. I have put the matter in the hands of the Bureau of Investigation of the Department of Justice. They have assigned an agent to investigate it. It is possible it is the same man who has impersonated other authors here in the East for the past year or two.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

February 19, 1937

618. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 2 March 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

If you could see the pile of false starts on my desk you'd know how hard I am trying. The twin fates of worry and lack of healthy stimuli continue even when liquor is out, as it has been for almost two months. Today I tore up a story—tomorrow I begin another. What of Thumbs Up—that might sell to Esquire. Who has it. It isn't very good but it has its points. About the cartoonist story I don't care.

Also what about the impersonator? Did you trace him, or did he exist?

Ever Yours Scott

P.S. I am in better or rather excellent health for me, which is something, or is it. Sooner or later the old fire must reemerge.

619. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

Thanks for your letter which came in just as I was beginning to write to you about THUMBS UP.

I hate to let Esquire have it except as a last resort. I gave the story to Tom Costain to read. He is editing a new magazine, the first number of which will appear sometime in April.* He told me yesterday that he thought you would have a good story here if you would let it end after Josie cuts Tib down. The story would need a scene bringing it to a romantic ending. Costain thinks, as you and I do, that you tried to put two stories into one. Costain says he thinks if you do this the story ought to bring a good price from some of the magazines which like your work. He says if it doesn't sell in this shortened version, he can use it but his top price for a short story at present is about $600. and he thinks the story ought to bring more than that.

I imagine you have a carbon copy of the story and if you feel like it I wish you would take a look at it and see if you can't end it as Costain suggested. Perhaps you can add another incident in the early part of the story so that the relation between Josie and Tib could be a little further advanced.

I am glad you are feeling in better health. We had a nice note from Scottie the other day. She seems to be very busy and very happy. We are going to try to drive up to see her sometime this Spring.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

March 2, 1937

Notes:

* American Cavalcade.

620. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I am enclosing a letter from T. B. Costain, also copy of the idea for a short short which he mentions in his letter.

I know that you usually don't like to write stories on other people's ideas but I don't think it will do any harm to let you look at this and see if you want to do it or not.

Costain has a fine list of contributors for the first issue of his magazine, among them Booth Tarkington, Katharine Brush, Alice Duer Miller. The magazine will be a monthly magazine the size of the Readers Digest but devoted to fiction and articles. The price of $250. is not very tempting but if you can do a piece quickly it might be worth while.

On receipt of this letter would you mind wiring me collect whether or not you want to try this.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

March 3, 1937

621. To Fitzgerald

Wire to Fitzgerald 6 March 1937. (AO)

PLEASE ANSWER MY LETTER ABOUT SHORT FOR COSTAINS MAGAZINE THOMAS BEER * HERE SENDS REGARDS HAROLD OBER

Notes:

* Novelist and biographer of Stephen Crane.

622. To Ober

Wire to Ober 6 March 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

CANT DO COSTAIGNES SHORT JUST GOT LETTER FITZGERALD.

623. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 8 March 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

1st place didn't like Costains idea + 2nd place am working desperately on another long story to get some money by the 15th.

I couldn't have done his story—I'd like to do something for him later. I'll try cutting the Thumb story as you suggest.

Costain's story isn't good. One guesses the end right away. Sorry—I couldn't do it.

Ever Scott F.

624. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I am glad you are working on a new story and of course it would be a mistake to drop work on that to do a short short, especially when you don't like the idea. I don't blame you, I didn't think very much of it myself, but I thought possibly you might be able to do something to it to get a little money.

I have hopes of getting about £50. from England for a second serial sale of THE GREAT GATSBY.*

I hope your health continues to improve.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

March 9, 1937

Notes:

* Argosy, August 1937.

625. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 2 pp. n.d., n.p.—received 11 March 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

This will reach you with a story The Vanished Girl.* It is, I think, a pretty good story—at least it reads and isn't muffed, even if the conception isn't very full-bodied.

The point is that I have to sell it right away. I mean I'd rather have a little for it now than a lot in two weeks. On Monday there is income tax—thank God very little, Scotty to get out of school hotel bills + two doctors who are driving me frantic. On a guess I can get by with about $900.00. Do you think Costain would give that— I have absolutely no way to raise the money

I know all this is poor policy and if I could struggle along until it could get a hearing I would, but it has been struggle a plenty to get this out—a good eight hours a day for five weeks + This the only one of four starts to come through at all. I am well, not pessimistic and doing my level best, including being 2 mos. on the absolute wagon and the next one will as usual try to be a Post story but this just has to be sacrificed for immediate gold. Four hundred on the 15th and $500 on the 20th would do it. Isn't there some editor who would advance me that much on a delivered story. Tell them anything, tell them frankly that you've advanced me the limit but for Gods sake raise me something on this story + wire it to Baltimore. If the income tax isn't paid the 15th it has to all be paid—and as for the insurance.

There may be something left in April of mother's money—I don't know. But if health and work can do anything the old talent can't lie supine much longer.

I want to sell two Post stories and then do a play very quick.

I may take a shot at The Thumbs revision tomorrow.

Wont Costain come through? I mean I dont mind his knowing I've been sick and strapped—I honestly don't mind anyones knowing if I can get money by the 15th. Please wire me about the story

Ever Yours, Scott

Notes:

* “The Vanished Girl” was rejected by Redbook.

626. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 12 March 1937. (AO)

STORY INTERESTING BUT DIFFICULT FOR QUICK SALE DOING MY BEST STOP ADVISE APPLY FOR EXTENSION SIXTY DAYS FOR FILING RETURN YOU CAN THEN MAKE QUARTERLY PAYMENT WITH INTEREST STOP YOUR RECENT ILLNESS SUFFICIENT EXCUSE
Harold Ober

627. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

The story arrived late this afternoon and I have just finished reading it and I have sent you a telegram. As you know only too well, there are only two days before income tax returns have to be mailed and I haven't been able to find any editor who would read anything over the week-end. I guess almost everyone has left their income tax to do on Sunday. I don't think there is any possibility of getting an immediate decision on this story. If we try to get it I think we would just ruin our best chances of placing it.

As I wired you, you can apply for an extension of the time for filing your return. I know a number of authors who have done this and all you have to do is when you do file it pay the first quarterly payment on it with interest added. With the sickness you have had I am sure you have an adequate excuse.

I don't think there is much chance of selling THE VANISHING GIRL to Costain—in the first place it is too long for him, he wants stories about 2000 words in length. I shall do my best to place the story where I can get the money quickly.

We would love to have Scottie come and stay with us during her Easter vacation if she doesn't decide to go to Baltimore. I know she was very eager to go there this Easter vacation.

I'll write you again early in the week.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

March 12, 1937

628. To Ober

Wire to Ober 12 March 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

ON PAGE TWENTY TWO LINE EIGHTEEN ALONG SHOULD BE ALONE STOP ADD TO LINE NINE TEEN QUOTE IM ASKING THE DAVIS HOME TO PUT HER UP TONIGHT * FITZGERALD.

Notes:

* Revisions for “The Vanished Girl.”

629. To Ober

AL (pencil), torn from sheet of paper, n.d.—received 15 March 1937. From Fitzgerald to Ober. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

The New Yorker might like this, if typed.* Send me a carbon. It should be all on one page if possible

Notes:

* Poem, “Obit on Parnassus,” The New Yorker, 5 June 1937.

630. To Ober

Wire to Ober 18 March 1937. Tryon, N.C.

DESPITE ALL EFFORTS I AM THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS OVERDRAWN IN BALTIMORE STOP HAVE NO POSSIBLE METHOD OF RAISING IT FITZGERALD.

631. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

As I wired you, I have just paid my income tax and several other things that were due and my bank balance is down to zero. I decided to speak to Max Perkins and he said he would wire $300. to your Baltimore bank. He is advancing this to you personally and I told him that I would pay it back to him out of the first money I received for you. I told him there is a chance of your going to Hollywood.

I hope you didn't mind my speaking to Max—it was the only way I could think of, of getting the money in a hurry.

I hope the Hollywood deal will go through all right. If you get out there and do a good job on THE DUKE STEPS OUT I am sure that Metro will have another job for you to work on. They have told me that if you do a good job on this picture they may be able to increase your salary and give you more work. You will probably leave from New York and I'll see you before you leave.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

March 18, 1937

632. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d.—received 22 March 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

It hurt to ask you for that $300—I hope you got the money from England for Gatsby 2nd Serial.

I'm anxiously waiting for news—no news is no doubt bad news. Why don't I just go to the coast + let them see me. I havn't had a drop in two months + feel fine. There's nothing I'd like better, for immediate cash + a future foothold + I'd love to write dialogue rather than work out their intricate plots.

Meanwhile I am revising Thumbs (for one day, + then beginning a football story for the coast. Ive thought so much about it that I should do another peach.

I hope to God The [Lost] Vanished Girl sells but something tells me your letter either says Balmer refused it or Hollywod refused me. I don't know what the hell I'm going to do or where to turn next but for once it doesn't worry me as it usually does

Scott Fitz

633. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I have just wired you about the week's delay on the Hollywood job but the reason may not be very clear. As you know, producers at Metro Goldwyn are in different units and each unit has a supervisor. McGuinness has just been moved from the supervision of Sam Katz to that of Ed Mannix. It will take at least a week for Mannix to go over the stories that are being prepared by McGuinness and no writing assignments will be made until that has been done. Edwin Knopf wants me to explain to you that this is entirely an interstudio matter and he hopes to have definite word for you in about a week.

I think everything is going to work out all right and that you will be on your way to Hollywood in a week or two but, as you know, nothing is settled in the moving picture business until one has a check in one's pocket. It wouldn't do any good at all for you to go to Hollywood before the contract is signed for in that case you wouldn't get your transportation out. I'll let you know the moment there is any definite news about the Hollywood job either for or against. The week will give you some time to finish the revision of THUMBS and to work on the new story.

The Red Book have not yet decided on THE VANISHING GIRL. I'll let you know just as soon as they do.

I didn't see Scottie on Friday but she had lunch with Anne and they did some shopping together. She was staying with the mother of one of the girls—a Mrs. Williams at the Hotel Delmonico. She was very excited about a tea dance they were going to.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

March 22, 1937

P.S. It will probably be months before we get the money from England on THE GREAT GATSBY.

634. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 2pp. n.d., n.p.—received 23 March 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO); Turnbull.

Going to country dog shows isn't my daily occupation—it was my single appearance of that kind. I wanted you to see how different I look from Xmas.*

Dear Harold:

Here, or herewith is the revision of Thumbs Up. Maybe it'll go. It's an odd story—one editor says cut the thumbs episode, another says cut everything else—I've done the latter and shortened it to about 5500 words (from 8000) + revised it thoroughly + written a new scene.

Thanks for the money—as time passes my position becomes more + more ludicrous, I mean generally. I just got a book (Books + Battles of the Twenties)** in which I am practically a leading character, my birthday is two column front page news as if I were 80 instead of 40***—and I sit worrying about next weeks $35.00 hotel bill! I really mean it that I'd like to go to Hollywood + let them see me. I wish you could see me. Weight 160 instead of 143 which was it last Xmas. And the dullest dogs making 1000 a week in Hollywood. Something has got to be done—this will end in slow ruination. Anyhow I've begun the football story but God knows where the next two weeks rent come from. I will owe $105 by Thurs. + will need cash—all in all $150. I was going to Max as a last rescourse but you have tapped that. What in hell shall I do? I want to write the football story unworried + uninterrupted. Since going on the wagon I [have lived on] will have written two originals, rewritten two stories (Thumbs + the cartoon story) and written 3 little Esquire pieces**** (two of them mediochre) to live on. That will be a hard two 1/2 mos work. But reward there is none.

In fatalistic optimism, Scott

Look at this Margaret Banning next to me—covered with rings, lives in a mansion + owns it. Ah me—well, perhaps I've learned wisdom at forty at last. If I ever get out of this mess!*****

Notes:

* Fitzgerald enclosed a newspaper photo of himself with Mrs. Margaret Culkin Banning (A successful woman writer), the Rev. Dr. C. Arthur Lincoln, and Donald Culross Peattie, at a Tryon, North Carolina, dog show. The headline reads: “Noted Authors Enjoy Visit to Tryon Resort” (Asheville Citizen-Times, 21 March 1937).

** Books and Battles of the Twenties by Irene and Allen Cleaton (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1937).

*** Refers to Michel Mok's article in the New York Post, 25 September 1936.

**** Possibly “The Honor of the Goon,” June 1937; “In the Holidays,” December 1937; and “The Guest in Room Nineteen,” October 1937.

***** Written along the left margin of page two.

635. To Ober

Wire to Ober 24 March 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

THUMBS SENT YESTERDAY SHORT ONE HUNDRED IN BALTIMORE WHAT CHANCE FITZGERALD.

636. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

Thank you for your letter of March 22nd. I am very glad to have the picture of you—it is not very clear but you certainly look healthy.

THUMBS UP hasn't come in yet but I am very glad to know that you have cut it down to 5500 words. I really feel much more hopeful of selling this than I do of selling THE VANISHED GIRL. I like the first few pages of this very much indeed but when the girl floated out the window, it began to be improbable and all the latter part of the story seemed to me weak. Balmer has just declined it. I talked to him about it and he says he is very keen to get a modern story of yours but that this story is too crazy for him. I really don't know where to offer it. I wish you could work the story out without having the girl a mental case. Do you think that Esquire would take it? That may be a way to get some immediate money for it.

I am hoping by next week we can get the Metro Goldwyn contract fixed up and you will then have a weekly check coming in. I haven't anything I can give you at the present time. I have a lot of obligations to meet at this time of the year and my taxes this year are very heavy.

If you think it is a good idea to send the story to Esquire you had better wire me and I'll send you the ribbon copy back so that you can send it yourself. I think it would be better than for me to send it.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

March 24, 1937

Later: Just now your telegram was handed me saying that you are short $100. in your Baltimore bank. I am wiring suggesting that you send THE VANISHED GIRL to Esquire and since you need the money right away, I am sending the story to you by special delivery. Perhaps you can get Gingrich to wire the money to Baltimore.

637. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 24 March 1937. (AO)

SORRY BUT I HAVE PRESSING OBLIGATIONS HOW ABOUT SENDING VANISHED GIRL TO ESQUIRE FOR IMMEDIATE CASH DOUBT ITS SELLING HERE MAILING STORY TO YOU SPECIAL PERHAPS GINGRICH WILL WIRE MONEY TO BANK HAROLD OBER

638. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 25 March 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Harold Ober 40 E. 49th St.

Dear Harold: Please have the last part typed before you read it. Scottie is fine + sends best.

Working daytimes on football story

Scott Fitz.

639. Memo by Ober

Memo (pencil), 1 p. n.d.—c. 25 March 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Alternate Titles for “Thumbs Up”

Two Minutes Alone
Midst War's Alarms
That Can Wait Of All Times—
or “No Time For That” [A last note added in Ober's hand.]

640. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I think you have done a very good job on the revision of THUMBS UP. I am having this typed and will do my very best to sell it just as soon as I possibly can.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

March 25, 1937

641. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:
I enclose proof of LINES FOR AN URN* together with copy of a letter from the New Yorker and the note which this letter mentions. I imagine you will be able to fix this up.

“We were about to send you a check for the F. Scott Fitzgerald poem, which we like very much, when we discovered that there were certain errors in fact in it and thought that he had better fix it up first. It seems that he was entirely wrong about the ages of Rossetti and Scott. The last stanza on Landor raises a problem which we wish you would put up to Mr. Fitzgerald. He didn't literally linger until ninety, having died three or four months before reaching that age. Perhaps he could think of a way of rewording this stanza to make this clear, just to obviate all the letters of correction we and Mr. Fitzgerald would get. If he can't, I suppose we will just have to take it as it is, as it comes near the truth, and comes within the bounds of poetic license. Will you ask him to consider the problem? The other two changes won't be so hard for him but they do need some rewriting which we can't undertake here. In the last line of the next to the last stanza we took out one “and” to improve the meter, and hope Mr. Fitzgerald won't object to this alteration.

I enclose a note from our checkers, which you will probably want to pass on to Mr. Fitzgerald. I crossed out the queries that I thought were too captious.”

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

March 26, 1937

Notes:

* Published as “Obit on Parnassus.”

642. To Ober

Scott ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 30 March 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

Heres the New Yorker. Even the check on this would help if wired to Baltimore. I want to finish the football story (almost done) without an [ti] interuption. After that sailing should be smoother— its a great story so far

643. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F.Scott Fitzgerald, Oak Hall, Tryon, N.C.

Dear Scott:

Harold is in Scarsdale today and he has asked me to write you letting you know that Swanson reports that Mr. Knopf of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer says that the deal for your services on THE DUKE STEPS OUT looks cold. Swanson adds that there is no telling when this will be revived but he thinks you ought to know that there is little chance of anything happening on it immediately so that you will not hold up any new stories which you may have in mind.

Sincerely, [Constance Smith]

March 29,1937

644. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

The proof of the New Yorker poem came in and it seems to me considerably better than in the first version. We shall get only about $30. for it but I have wired you $100. which I hope will help you to finish the story you are now on.

The New Yorker say they wish you would do more poems.

We are hoping Scottie will have a few days with us before she goes back to school, and Anne might drive her up to school when she drives Dick back to Exeter.

Sorry I had to worry you about the Hollywood job—and then have it grow cold. I think, however, that job or another may turn up again. In the meantime, I am delighted you are working on the football story.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

March 30, 1937

645. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F.Scott Fitzgerald Esq., Oak Hall,

Tryon, N.C.

Dear Scott:

The New Yorker is pleased with the extensive changes in the poem but have questioned the accuracy of Chaucer's age. Their research department say that literary reference works give the date as approximately 1340 to 1400 which would mean he was only sixty when he died rather than seventy. Wolcott Gibbs says your verse is too good to be open to criticism of fact and he hopes you will not object to casting about for one more septuagenarian to take Chauser's place in stanza five. I am returning the galley proof herewith.

Incidentally Mr. Gibbs promises us a check regardless of possible further revision.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

April 5, 1937

646. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 6 April 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

The Hollywood affair was a blow of course. It might have meant everything. Of course one cannot do justice to purely imaginative work when in rotten health + extreme worry. But since the health is good + the worry would be alleviated by the pay check it would have been ideal. My biggest loss is confidence.

So I hope that you'll bend all your efforts for me apon bringing about a chance in Hollywood. Week by week Things get worse financially and of course this can't go on much longer if I have to go out there + sell myself for a few hundred a week. I am finishing the football story + will start another but it would be twice as possible to work well if I could see any way out of this morass. If Swanson can't sell me how about Leland Hayward—he used to be a great friend + admirer.

Perhaps tomorrow I wont feel as low as today but at the moment things look very black. You might send me the cartoon story to look over. I hope to God you sell Thumbs—wire me if you do.

Ever Yours Scott Fitzg

Notes:

H. N. Swanson, Hollywood agent, had tried to get Fitzgerald a screenwriting assignment at MGM on a movie called The Duke Steps Out.

647. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

Thanks for your note. I am sending you back the cartoon story. I don't feel very hopeful of this story and it doesn't seem to me wise for you to spend much time on it. The few people who have seen it haven't had a good word to say for it. The idea of the story has been used several times and it is not a very good one anyway.

You did a good job on THUMBS and I am hoping eventually to place that.

Both Swanson and I are doing our very best to get a new contract for you in Hollywood.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

April 6, 1937

648. Readers' Reports on “THEY NEVER GROW OLDER” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Typed report, 1 p. (AO)

This story of the comic strip—in life and in the papers—seems to me rather a clumsy parallel. The author apparently things he has a unique and clever idea but he doesn't pull it off. There never seems to be any good reason for keeping the characters apart just to draw the parallel. I don't think we'd miss this if we rejected it.

*********

The pity is that they do, both Fitzgerald and his characters. This is a dreary badly written unbelievable story about a comic strip artist and his love and his rival, and by the time they've lived their comic strip till they're all fortyish I for one don't care for them or the comic.

*********

One of the most cockeyed nightmarish stories I have ever read.

*********

It is a confused, muddled story about a famous cartoonist, the girl he has loved since college days, and a rival who has also loved her all his life. For some reason which the author may know but I couldn't discover the cartoonist never proposes and the girl waits around until she is forty before they finally decide to get married. Just by way of pretending that it is a story, a madman breaks into the cartoonist's studio and shoots him in the middle of the story. This particular scene reminds us that Fitzgerald can write but it has very little connection with what should be the thread of the story.

Notes:

Comments from unidentified magazines Ober offered the story to. This report may not have been shown to Fitzgerald.

649. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 2pp. n.d., n.p.—received 13 April 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

With this you will recieve the story
Athletic Interview *

and a plea for another $100.00. The situation is terrible. One check has just come back to the hotel. Threats of suits come in daily from all over hell—not big sums but enormous now. Some matters as buying razor blades + even cigarettes have grown serious. There ought to be a little left from mother's estate this month but I dont know when or whether itll be a hundred or a thousand, all the rest being mortgaged away.

I am revamping The Vanished Girl for Esquire and can't get any money for it until it gets there which won't be before next Monday. The $100 is for the hotel bill—I had to give them another check and if it comes back I'll be in the street.

At least I have taken my time on this story as I should have started doing two years ago. My rate is never more than one a month—why I kept thinking I could do more with the added burden of illness and anxiety I don't know.

For God's sake wire me you have been able to do something.

Scott

Notes:

* “Athletic Interview” became “Athletic Interval” and later “Offside Play.” The story was rejected by American Magazine, Collier's, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, and The Saturday Evening Post.

The revised story appeared under the title “A Full Life”.

649a. Memo by Fitzgerald

Memo (pencil), n.d., n.p.—received 13 April 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Please have it typed before you read it. It might be typed to look a little shorter—I mean these are huge margins. It's over 8000.
Fitz—

650. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I have just finished reading ATHLETIC INTERVAL and I like it very much. I think it is a good piece of work.

I wired you $100. this afternoon and if I can I'll try to send you a little more within a day or two.

Sincerely yours,
[Harold Ober]

April 13, 1937

651. To Fitzgerald

TL(cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

The Post has declined ATHLETIC INTERVAL. They say it is much too long for their present requirements—but this is a minor point. It is over 9000 words and ought to be cut before I show it to anyone else. (It's at the Cosmopolitan now and they can use long stories). I'm sending you a carbon and if Cosmopolitan declines I'll wire you to try and cut it to 6000 or 7000 words.

To go back to the Post. They say it lacks the warmth of your best work and that it hasn't the “incandescent” quality your readers expect. This gives me a pain. This story may not be your very best —no author can be his very best all the time; but it is so much better than 9/10 of the stories they buy that their criticism is absurd.

If Cosmopolitan declines the story I think you ought to cut it and while you are doing it perhaps you can do something to Kiki or Considine that will make them more likable. Considine is rather a shadowy character. I think the story would sell to the more popular magazines if you could make Considine an undergraduate who is not an athlete—but who has qualities that Rip lacks. And couldn't you motivate Kiki's rather hard headed business plans for Rip? All this, of course, in case Cosmopolitan doesn't buy the story.

I have managed to squeeze out another hundred and have deposited it in your bank.

As ever, [Harold Ober]

April 20, 1937

652. To Ober

Wire to Ober 21 April 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

I HAVE BEEN THINKING THAT I HAD BETTER SUPPRESS THE ACTUAL NAMES OF THE COLLEGES IN THAT STORY SO WILL YOU SEND ME A COPY TO MAKE THE CHANGES ON STOP I AM WORKING HARD ON ANOTHER SCOTT FITZGERALD.

653. To Ober

Wire to Ober 23 April 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

HAVE SENT SEVENTY THREE HUNDRED WORD VERSION FITZGERALD.

654. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 26 April 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

I've cut it without difficulty to about 7300 instead of 9100 + it's vastly improved. This is the way it should have been at first— inevitable result of pressure + hurry. I think the Post might have taken it as it is now.

Well, Im on another. I can only hope to God this goes. It is good in form though I think, as if I'm getting back into stride.
Scott

655. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

You did a good job of cutting the football story. The longer version is at the Cosmopolitan and I am telling them that I am sending them a shorter and improved version. I am sure you are back in your stride.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

April 26, 1937

656. To Ober

Wire to Ober 2 May 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

PLEASE TAKE ANY PRICE FOR INTERLUDE * OVERDRAWN 150 AND WHOLE SITUATION TENSE NO HELP FROM ESTATE FOR ANOTHER WEEK STORY ALMOST FINISHED BY CONDITIONS OF WORK IMPOSSIBLE FITZGERALD

Notes:

* “Athletic Interval.”

657. To Ober

Wire to Ober 5 May 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

NO ANSWER TO TELEGRAM PLEASE WIRE SITUATION VIA POSTALTELEGRAPH FITZGERALD.

658. To Fitzgerald

Harold Ober Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 5 May 1937. (AO)

NO NEWS AND NO MONEY COSMOPOLITAN STILL CONSIDERING FOOTBALL STORY IF THEY DECLINE HOPE AMERICAN WILL BUY DOING MY BEST

659. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I have just received ATHLETIC INTERVAL from Cosmopolitan. They told me that it had been touch and go whether they accepted it or not. The final verdict, I am sorry to say, has been against it and I am giving it at once to the editor of the American Magazine.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

May 6, 1937

660. Inscription to Ober

Fitzgerald's joke inscription in book "The Bell Haven Eight" by George Barton (1914). Bruccoli Collection, circa 1937(?).

661. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I have the following letter from Kenneth Littauer* regarding your story THUMBS UP:

“Thanks for giving me a look at this revised version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's story called THUMBS UP. The first half seems to me very good. The last half lacks point, if I am not mistaken. It is easy to understand that Tib should want to marry the girl but there is no good reason for his intent to murder her brother. Of course he may have been possessed but if this is so then we can't accept him as a suitable match for Miss Pilgrim. Furthermore, all this business about buying gold to fill a tooth seems irrelevant.

I wish Fitzgerald would end this story as it deserves to be ended. With the right conclusion I think it would make an excellent feature for us.”

I talked to Littauer today and he says he would like very much to go down and see you in Tryon. He says he realizes this letter won't help you very much on this story but he thinks that in conversation some way might develop to fix the story so that Collier's could use it. He has wanted to see you for sometime and since the Post seems to have deserted us, I think it would be a very good idea for you to have a talk with Littauer. Let me know if and when you would like to see him.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

May 7, 1937

Notes:

* Editor of Collier's.

662. To Ober

Wire to Ober 9 May 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

DONT WANT TO SEE LITTAUR UNDER PRESENT CONDITIONS HAVING BEEN EIGHTY DOLLARS OVERDRAWN FOR ONE WEEK NEW STORY SENT TODAY WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THERES NOTHING TO DO BECAUSE THAT SITUATION ANSWER PLEASE YOU WILL HAVE TWO GOOD STORIES AND MORE IF IMPOSSIBLE PRESSURE IS RELIEVED FITZGERALD.

663. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I am sorry that you don't feel like seeing Littauer now for I think it might result in his buying THUMBS UP. When you do feel like seeing him, please let me know.

The new story you speak of hasn't come in but I hope it will before the end of the day.

The football story is now at the American and the editor has promised me a quick decision and I hope to have one within a day or two.

I wish I could do something about removing the pressure you are under but with me money has been going out recently and none coming in. I hope you can hold on until a story sells. As soon as any money comes in that doesn't have to go out right away I'll do what I can to relieve the pressure but I do not see any chance for that in the immediate future.

When Scottie gets through school we shall be delighted to have her come and stay with us. We would really like to have her.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

May 10, 1937

664. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

THAT KIND OF PARTY * has just come in and I have read it and it seems to me an attractive story and I hope it will find a place quickly. I am having it typed right away and I am giving it first to the editor of the Ladies Home Journal who is in town today and who said he would like very much to have a story of yours.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

May 11, 1937

Notes:

* Ober's note on the typescript of this story reads: “Once a Basil Story Rewritten in 1937 offered Ladies Home Journal + Pictorial Review author decided to rewrite but never did…”

665. To Ober

Wire to Ober 11 May 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

TO REMAIN HERE AND EAT MUST HAVE ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY TODAY PLEASE ASK PERKINS FITZGERALD.

666. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 11 May 1937. (AO)

MAX AND I WILL ARRANGE DEPOSIT BETWEEN US. HAROLD OBER

667. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 3pp. n.d., n.p.—received 13 May 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

Life had me going there for a little while. A check came back from the bank + then another + then the 1st over again. Hadn't tipped servants for 6 wks, paid typist, druggist, old doctors bills ect—every mail a threat of suite. All in all the short + simple annals of the poor. It has been entirely a charity year—almost a year mind you since I've sold a story, tho I've only written five + two may yet sell. In fact if these two dont I am immediately on a worse spot than before. I have a balance of six dollars after immediately putting forth what you sent.

All that can save me now [iss] is that there may be a few hundred in the estate which will be settled in two weeks. What I need is a substantial sum 1st to pay a percentage on bills, 2nd for a full months security + 3d to take Zelda for a 3 day trip to Myrtle Beach which I've been promising for two month + which the sanitarum want her to take. She hasn't been out of hospital for 3 1/2 years + they feel that she's well enough for a trip.

These two stories seem to me in the old line. I feel the stuff coming back as my health improves. I told you that since stopping drinking I've gained from just over 140 to [my] over 160. I sleep at last and tho my hair's grey I feel younger than for four years. I am surprisingly not depressed by all these bad breaks but I am exceedingly hampered—just sheerly finding it difficult to function. I tried to give up smoking from pure econemy + did give up expensive medicines [even] [I] and treatments. Such matters as four abcessed teeth and a growth that ought to be removed honestly dont bother me—two years of fainting + spitting blood cured me physical worry, but the money difficulty if not solved soon will have more and more [pys] psycholigal influence on my work, undermining confidence and wrecking what's left of my market.

Why Littaur? I don't think the Post have been unreasonable. They've turned down some good stories from Crazy Sunday and Phillipe to Intimate Strangers but most of what they saw wasn't good. I didn't like their cutting my price but I'd like to wait till they turned down a good story for no reason at all before [leavin] deciding that Stout* just don't like me.

Well, I hope you'll have good news about a story by the time you get this.

Ever Yours Scott Fitz

It was a shame to sell the little story in this months Esq for $200, wasn't it.** That's a sheer result of debt.

Notes:

* Wesley Winans Stout succeeded George Horace Lorimer as editor of The Saturday Evening Post in 1937.

** “The Honor of the Goon,” Esquire, June 1937.

668. To Ober

Wire to Ober 13 May 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

SEND CARBON OF PARTY WIRE ANY GOOD NEWS EVERY HOUR COUNTS
FITZGERALD.

669. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 14 May 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

More about Lithaur, as I just got your letter. Of course I'd like to see him for purposes of selling a story, a specific one. [It] But I am too poor to entertain him—I mean this is a decent little hotel but old and not in the r61e of successful author at all. ether is the 1927 Car which I bought last year + use for driving to see Zelda—it's original cost to me was $95.00 so you can imagine what it looks like.

When I can pay my bill here I move to Hendersonville + there I think it might be practical [exce] even with the car. So far as being “looked over” I would welcome it + give him any impression personally that I chose to. Let us say when you sell a story I'll see him. Put him off till then.

The enclosure doesn't get us far, though the sound rights are still mine.* Will you take care of it

Ever Fitzg

Thanks for the note about Scottie. I'm vague about her. If this Myrtle Beach is cheap I might go there. She'll certainly come + see you **

Notes:

* Imperial Film of Paris asked about “Offshore Pirate.”

** Written along left margin.

670. To Ober

Wire to Ober 17 May 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

GRATEFUL FOR ANY NEWS FITZGERALD.

671. To Ober

Wire to Ober 18 May 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

IS SMALL BOY SERIES * WORTH CONTINUING PLEASE WIRE THIS AFTERNOON FITZGERALD.

Notes:

* “That Kind of Party.”

672. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 18 May 1937. (AO)

IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER STORY IN MIND ADVISE WRITE BUT MAKE CHILDREN LESS PRECOCIOUS AND MORE ATTRACTIVE CAN TELL BETTER AFTER FIRST STORY SOLD. HAROLD OBER

673. To Fitzgerald

TLS, 1 p, (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I gave THAT KIND OF PARTY to the Ladies Home Journal and here is what they write me about it:

“I regret having to return Scott Fitzgerald's THAT KIND OF PARTY to you, as I'd like very much to be able to buy a Fitzgerald piece. It seemed to us, though, that the children involved in the story were both precocious and rather unpleasant, and on the whole we felt it safest to reject the piece.”

I am sending it now to the Pictorial as I think it is more likely to sell there than anywhere else.

Sincerely yours, Harold Ober

May 18, 1937

HO/P

674. To Fitzgerald

TLS, 1 p. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

The editor of the Ladies Home Journal came in today and I talked to him further about THAT KIND OF PARTY. He says that he thinks the story might sell if the children were two or three years older and if at least one or two of the children were made more attractive. He says parents do not like to think of children ten years old being so much interested in sex. It would be easy to make the children a few years older but I think it is still more important to make the children more attractive. I like the first part of the story very much indeed and I think if you could make the latter part as good, it would surely sell. If Pictorial doesn't buy the story and if you feel like doing some rewriting on it, I think it would be a good idea. The Journal would like to see it if you rewrite it.

I am sorry to say the American doesn't like ATHLETIC INTERVAL and I have given it to Balmer of the Red Book.

Sincerely yours,

Harold Ober

May 18, 1937.

HO/P

675. Readers' reports on Athletic Interval by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Typed reports, 1 p. Cosmopolitan letterhead. (AO)

May 24, 1937.

Athletic Interval by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Reports *

It is shorter and therefore somewhat better than formerly... But it still is strangely complicated in motivation... The emotional parts are strangely unemotional and static... The plot concerning the orphanage brother is frankly dragged in.

Strangely unemotional this story is, but it holds you to the end and the football element gives it an added value.

I kept feeling that it was good, then bad, then that it was going to be good—then it didn't. Actually, there's a sense of frustration and dullness and anticlimax in the girl's romances—she is pretty much deadened to emotion, and her final compromise is so routine and valueless. Worse, however, is the unfinished and unsatisfactory story of the two collegians, the football star and his orphanage “brother”—you have a feeling that the brother is still a crook, and that the girl has prostituted the football star to commercialism and has given him nothing in return—except a security income wangled out of a nitwit alumnus, for which the hero has sold all the glory which the public and his own deeds have given him. Altogether, it's unsatisfactory—although the color and background are just what we'd like.

Mr. Fitzgerald seems pretty far away from his characters in this. The idea of the plot is perfectly satisfactory but Kiki's switch from one man to the other and back again never seems very convincing and what should be a fairly emotional story is pretty cold.

Notes:

* These reports were in the Ober files, but they were probably not sent to Fitzgerald. They seem to be four reports by different readers.

676. To Ober

Post card (pencil)—postmarked 6 June 1937. Asheville, N.C. (AO)

Will you summarize what Littaur now wants of the original story. Does he consider the French episode entirely out? Adress me at Oak Hall, Tryon. It was a swell trip.*

Scott Fitz

That man Charles Warren is worth encouraging. Much better than Spafford. **

In my elation I bought this place. I think it will be good for my work I charged it to Max ***

Notes:

* Fitzgerald had taken Zelda to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

** Written along the left margin and top.

*** Written around the edges of a picture of Biltmore mansion, Asheville, North Carolina.

677. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

I am enclosing an account and, as you will see, I have given Max Perkins $365.

Littauer is ill so I can't talk to him again about THUMBS UP. I did, however, have a talk with him after he had read the last version and he said then that he thought the whole French part of the story should be cut. He also said he didn't think the episode in the theatre really helped the story along very much. He suggested the possibility of introducing another man who wants to marry Josie. He might be a friend of Josie's brother and Littauer says if he were picked out by Josie's brother he would probably be a prig. He said the story needed “warming up”. He said there ought to be one or two love scenes between Josie and Tib in the middle of the story. This is, I think, about all he told me.

I have an idea that sometime you can take the French part and make a separate story out of it.

I like your new place very much! It looks as if there might be room enough for me if I come down to see you sometime.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

June 9, 1937

678. Account Statement by Ober

Typed account (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald In account with Harold Ober

Balance due Harold Ober—Account dated June 2, 1937		12705.04
Cash in New York	June 3	20.00
	4	171.00
Wired 1st National Bank, Baltimore, Md.	June 9	600.06
Cost of wiring above		.59
To Maxwell Perkins		365.00	13661.69
Received from Collier's		1500.00
On account of total price of 2500.00 for story to be delivered*
10% Commission		150.00	1350.00
Balance due Harold Ober June 9th			12 511.69

I trust you will find the above accounting correct.
HAROLD OBER
June 9, 1937
F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Notes:

* “Thumbs Up.”

679. To Ober

Fitzgerald note to Ober (pencil), n.d., n.p.—c. 12 June 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

New Yorker might like this.* If you have it retyped please tell typist to follow punctuation exactly, such as Abraham's Sac. I wrote it on the train coming down.

Notes:

* A humorous essay, “A Book of One's Own,” published as “A Book of My Own,” The New Yorker, 21 August 1937.

680. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

The piece you did for the New Yorker, A BOOK OF ONE'S OWN is very amusing and I think they will like it.

I am sorry to say that the Post could not use FINANCING FINNEGAN.* They say it is amusing but do not think it would interest a wide market. I'll see what I can do with it elsewhere.

We are planning to drive up to Exeter on Friday of this week and will probably return on Sunday or the latest on Monday. When are you coming up to New York?

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

June 14, 1937

Notes:

* Esquire, January 1938.

681. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald Esq., Oak Hall, Tryon, N.C.

Dear Scott:

I don't know if you have seen the June 12,1937 issue of the Saturday Review of Literature,* but in case you haven't I'm sending you a copy.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober] June 16, 1937

Notes:

* Contains the article “The Minnesota Muse” by James Gray. He discusses several Minnesota writers, including Fitzgerald.

682. To Ober

Wire to Ober 16 June 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

PLEASE SEND COPY OF THUMBS STORY FINAL VERSION FITZGERALD.

683. To Ober

Wire to Ober 16 June 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

FOOTBALL REVISE * SENT CAN YOU ORDER RETYPEING AND SEND POST SCOTT.

Notes:

* “Athletic Interval.”

684. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Oak Hall Tryon, N. C.

Dear Scott:

Edwin Knopf arrived this afternoon and is to be here until Thursday night. I have made a tentative date with him for lunch next Thursday, June 24th. If that date isn't possible, we can arrange to see him some other time.

I had the football story retyped and gave it to Graeme Lorimer today.

I am leaving tomorrow morning to drive up to Exeter to get Dick and will be back Monday night. We may stop tomorrow and see Scottie for a moment.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

June 17, 1937

685. To Anne Ober

ALS, 2pp. n.d., n.p.—dated 18 June 1937 by Mrs. Ober. Tryon, N.C.

Dear Anne:

Your hospitality is grand and I know Scottie wants to come visit you. Plans are taking shape gradually and by the time I come to New York I'll have a summer laid out. That will be the 25th— Scottie will join me in New York for a couple of days and I'll tell her the delightful news that she doesn't have to go to camp in July —though she may go in August—if I go to Hollywood.

There's an inexpensive place, quite child-populated near Ashville called Linville where I'm thinking of spending the summer, or at least July. After Scottie spends some days with you + a night with [some] her roommate (a new one) on Long Island I'll be about ready to start south + finish this play which is my next job. And since to take my wife anywhere seems out of the question this summer I suppose Scottie and I [will] had best get to know each other again after over a year apart. I'm looking forward to it in many ways as, now that I'm feeling better, I begin to get lonely in more human way. And in a few years she'll be gone for good. That's the July plan as near as it's formulated. I'll bet you're glad that by the time you get this you'll have your wandering boy with you.

Considering how entirely vulnerable I was the trip to New York restored my faith in human nature—it seems amazing that everyone could be so damn nice—you most of all. I feel as if I had been dragged out of the cellar, dusted off patted on the head and told that everything was all right if I'd just play safely from now on. Old friends I'd dreaded seeing were nice—practically the fatted calf— except for [50 words omitted by editors] Ah, well—that was a good record, one out of twenty.

I'm looking forward to trip two—except meeting Mr Knopf of the movies + being looked over but it will only be for a week as I feel better down here—that's the sad but undisputable truth that at my age health just doesn't come back to stay after six months.

A nice letter from Harold in hand, telling me [you] he liked the last story. I don't envy you the [white] grey roads of New England somehow, though they're beautiful + nicer than here. The road for me will always be white + dusty + leading between poplars to Provence. Till next week

Yours With Eternal Gratitude

Scott Your spelling + typing are perfect.

686. To Ober

Post card (pencil), n.d.—postmarked 19 June 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Thurs. for lunch with Knopf O.K. Arrive Thurs morning. If you can't get more than $300 for Finnegan * I want to give it to Esquire to whom I owe two pieces
Scott

Notes:

* Note in another hand reads: “At American. dec by SEP.”

687. To Ober

Post card, n.d.—postmarked 21 June 1937. Tryon, N.C. (AO)

Dear Harold:

Will you find me hotel nearer 5th Ave than the Lexington (E. or W.) + in the Forties where I can go for $3.00 or at most $3.50. Lexington is O.K but I've promised daughter a few days in New York + I don't like Lexington location much.

Glad you liked football. I am finishing the Thumbs story—just what they want I think, + will bring it north. Arrive Thurs early + will phone so leave hotel word at your office if you're not there.

Ever Yours
Scott

688. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. *

Dear Scott:

I have the following letter from the Post regarding OFFSIDE PLAY:**

“The new version of Scott Fitzgerald's story is a vast improvement over the first one. The writing has all the old Fitzgerald quality, but the plot values and psychology are a bit hazy. For that reason, we must regretfully return the story.”

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

June 23, 1937

Notes:

* This letter was probably never sent to Fitzgerald. It may have been given to him while he was in New York.

** New version of “Athletic Interval.”

After Fitzgerald's meeting with Knopf, MGM offered him $1,000 a week for six months with an option for renewal at $1,250 to come to Hollywood as a script-writer. Fitzgerald accepted and moved to the Garden of Allah in Hollywood early in July 1937. There he met Sheilah Graham, Hollywood columnist.

689. To Ober

Wire to Ober 2 July 1937. Asheville, N.C. (AO)

CAN ARRIVE LOSANGELES EASILY THURSDAY INCONVENIENTLY WEDNESDAY MAILING YOU CHECK ON BALTIMORE FOR FIVE HUNDRED FOR TICKETS PLEASE WIRE ME THAT SUM BATTERY PARK HOTEL ASHEVILLE INFORMATION SCOTTIE LATER
SCOTT FITZJERALD.

690. To Fitzgerald

TL, 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq.*

Dear Scott:

We have talked again to the man who is getting up the Varsity Show for the Pontiac Motor Company.** He says that the master of ceremonies didn't have to do any plugging of the product on the program last year and he says he doesn't think it will be necessary this year. I told him that was something you couldn't do. He is putting your name up to the sponsors and I'll let you know if anything comes of it.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

July 2, 1937

Notes:

* A note in Ober's hand reads: “didn't send because Scott now in Hollywood”.

** Thomas L. Stix of Henry Souvaine radio productions had asked if Fitzgerald would be interested in serving as master of ceremonies on the touring Pontiac Varsity Show.

691. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d.—received 6 July 1937. Battery Park Hotel, Asheville, N.C., stationery. (AO)

The item $$ better not start for two or three weeks as I'll need a second hand car. So for that time add it to my expense check.

Dear Harold:

Here's the way I'd like to divide my pay check for the moment. Per week

100 to you—commission

150 “ “ on debt

50 “ Scribners on debt, as follows

1st to paid against Perkins loan

2nd to be paid against insurance assignment held by Charles Scribner

3d to be paid against their movie loan on Tender

4th to be paid against my retail bill there

$$ 200 to be banked by you against taxes somewhere where I can get compound interest. Perhaps you make a suggestion where

100 to be banked at 1st National Baltimore for “vacation money” for I will be taking six to 8 weeks off a year.

400 to be put to my account out of which I pay expenses + $100 insurance. For the present we will call this one the expense check + when I find a bank in California will deposit it there.

$1000

(Do you like this arrangement? With those stories it should clear you and me within a year)—all percentages to go up after six months of course

Scott

692. From Ober To Edwin Knopf

Wire (cc) to Edwin Knopf 6 July 1937. (AO)

SCOTT FITZGERALD ARRIVING WEDNESDAY MORNING WILL WIRE YOU FROM TRAIN STOP HE HAS SENT ME INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISPOSITION OF HIS WEEKLY CHECK SO SEND INSTRUCTIONS TO NEW YOUR OFFICE FOR PREPARING CONTRACT WITH WEEKLY CHECK PAYABLE TO ME IT THIS CAN BE ARRANGED STOP SCOTT WILL GIVE YOU AUTHORIZATION IF HE WANTS IT THAT WAY AS I UNDERSTAND HE DOES Harold Ober

693. To Ober

ALS, 3pp. n.d.—received 8 July 1937. Southern Pacific Railroad stationery. (AO)

Dear Harold: This is written on a rocky train—I hope its decipherable.

1st When you figure what I owe you you better figure interest too for the past four years at some percentage you think proper. When I made from 25-35 thousand a year with so little negotiation I didn't mind being a story in debt to you—in fact I was rather upset when the Reynolds office made me pay a double commission on the Gatsby movie—almost 20%, remember? But this big debt is entirely another matter from those days + represents a loss for you in years of smaller profit + more expense on my account. So figure something you consider fair.*

2nd When the pay off begins I think that you should send me a witnessed note somewhat as follows—that you will accept from the insurance assignment only such a sum as I may be in debt to you on your books at the time of my demise. This protects my estate as I pay back the money—I will file it with my will.

Nothing more at present. I suppose Scottie will be with you. Let me know if she arrives on that 11.30 train Thursday morning. Best to Anne + all of you. Wire me if stories sell.

Ever Yours Scott

Notes:

* In top margin: “I never did charge interest HO”.

694. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 2 pp. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Care Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Culver City, California

Dear Scott:

I have your notes this morning. We are looking forward to seeing Scottie on Thursday, and either Anne or I will meet whatever train she comes on. I know Scottie will be delighted with a few weeks in Hollywood and, if she can go out with the Mac Arthurs,* she will enjoy it even more. But please remember that if you do not find that plan workable, we will be glad to have her with us all summer.

I have your note about the disposition of your weekly checks, and I am sending a copy of your letter in case you did not keep one. I think this ought to work out very well: I was going to suggest to you that you pay me back a little faster than you pay Scribners, because they are a prosperous corporation and do not need the money probably as much as I do, but you have arranged it that way without my suggesting it.

I tried to get you on the telephone both Sunday and Monday. I wanted to suggest that you go to the Garden of Allah at 8152 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood. This place is quieter than a hotel and fairly reasonable in price. Graeme Lorimer always stays there when he is in Hollywood; Harold Lamb lives there right along and Robert Benchley often stays there.

I am not sure how your employment contract will be made out, in Hollywood or in the New York office. I believe a recent California law may require that the contract be made out in Hollywood. This arrangement was made in a hurry over the telephone, and you had better let me see it before you sign it. If there is a rush about it you can let Swanson look it over.

I judge from your note that you would like to have me take care of your check each week according to the instructions you sent me. If the check is paid to me, I will dispose of it according to these instructions: if the check is paid directly to you in California, you can endorse it over to me.

I feel sure this trip to California is going to work out happily for you in every way. I think you can live inexpensively and well, and when you are through you will be able to write the novel you want to write without financial worries.

I hope to hear from Colliers within the next day or two. I had the following letter from the New Yorker;

“I want to apologize, too, for the long delay on the Scott Fitzgerald short bit,** which we like very much, provided he will allow us to write a new lead paragraph and make a few other slight cuts or changes. We thought his first paragraph was cloudy and really too hard for the reader. We tried to embody his idea a little more clearly. What we did was to go ahead and set it up with a new lead paragraph, but, of course, we won't use the piece until we get his approval on our changes. I enclose our check for the piece now. His list of books is very funny.”

This sketch is just two pages long, and the New Yorker has sent me fifty dollars for it. This does not seem like very much, but it is what the New Yorker pays for stories of this length.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

July 6, 1937

Notes:

* Charles MacArthur and Helen Hayes.

** “A Book of My Own.”

695. To Ober

Wire to Ober 11 July 1937. Hollywood, Calif. (AO)

AM COLLECTING FARE AND ONE DAY PAY CHECK HERE STOP THEY CANNOT DIVIDE WEEKLY PAY CHECK HERE SO WILL DEPOSIT HERE AND SEND YOU A BATCH OF SIGNED AND DATED CHECKS BANK OF AMERICA FOR SIX HUNDRED EACH STOP ALL WELL FITZGERALD.

696. To Ober

Wire to Ober 19 July 1937. Hollywood, Calif. (AO)

WILL GET MY FIRST CHECK TOMORROW AND SEND YOU PART STOP TRYING TO ARRANGE TO HAVE IT PAID YOU IN NEW-YORK OR WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND STOP HOW ABOUT MACARTHURS TRIP STOP EVERYTHING GOING FINE SCOTT FITZGERALD.

697. To Fitzgerald

Harold Ober Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 19 July 1937. (AO)

ANNE WROTE YOU SATURDAY MACARTHURS TRIP CANCELLED WE DO NOT THINK SCOTTIE SHOULD GO OUT ALONE PROBABLY SOMEONE SUITABLE WILL BE GOING DURING SUMMER BUT IF NOT THINK WE CAN KEEP HER HAPPY STOP SUGGEST YOU KEEP WHAT YOU NEED AND SEND ME BALANCE WEEKLY CHECK TO DISTRIBUTE ACCORDING TO YOUR SCHEDULE THUS KEEPING RECORD OF EVERYTHING HERE SCOTTIE FINE.

698. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. c/o Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Culver City, Calif.

Dear Scott:

I would have written you before but I have been taking about ten days in Scarsdale. I am glad things are going well with you in Hollywood. Swanson tells me that Edwin Knopf is very pleased with the way you are taking hold. Your contract is being made out here and ought to be ready for signature within a few days. The New York office is waiting for instructions on one or two points from Hollywood.

I got your note written on the train and it is understood of course that I would accept from the insurance assignment only what you actually owed me. I'll send you a note to this effect that can be filed with the policy.

When I talked to Swanson the other night on the telephone I believe he told me that you are staying at the Garden of Allah. If you are you might let me know so that I can write you wherever you are living instead of at the Metro Goldwyn office.

We are enjoying Scottie and I think she is happy. She is of course looking forward to the Hollywood trip. It doesn't make any diffrence to us when she goes—the important thing is that there is someone to go out with her and someone to be with her while she is, in Hollywood.

I have a note from Littauer saying he wants to talk to me about the two stories. I may not be able to see him until next week but I'll write you after I have had a talk with him.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

July 21, 1937

699. To Anne Ober

Wire to Anne Ober 23 July 1937. Hollywood, Calif.

HELEN MACARTHUR STARTING WEST AUGUST SECOND SHE WILL BE AT NYACK WEDNESDAY PHONE 1010 AND SCOTTIE SHOULD CALL HER THEN YOUR CHATTEL SCOTT FITZGERALD.

700. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. c/o Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Culver City, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I received the $600. from your first salary check and am taking care of it in accordance with your instructions.

Your telegram came yesterday and I understand Scottie is to start for Hollywood with Helen Hayes on August 2nd or 3rd. Helen Hayes has a broadcast in the evening of August 1st so I doubt if they will get away until the 2nd. I'll wire you of course so that you will know when she is leaving.

I have just had a talk with Littauer and he says neither the Civil War story nor the football story are just right. He is going to read over the football story and see if he can write a letter making suggestions that he thinks will make the story all right.

He says Mr. Chenery and Mr. Colebaugh* have read the Civil War story and they both liked the first part of it very much indeed. They suggest that the whole time of the story cover only two or three days. They think it should finish with the girl rescuing Tib and going off with him. They think the girl would be through with her brother and never want to see him again. What do you think about this? If you think you can do it I'll send you on a carbon. It will certainly be the easiest thing to do as far as the number of words you have to write. Littauer says now he thinks the whole trouble with the Civil War story was the break in time.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

July 26, 1937

P.S. I have a refund of $6.99 from Franklin Simon's. Do you want me to deposit this in your Baltimore bank or send it to you in Hollywood?

Notes:

* Editors at Collier's.

701. To Anne Ober

ALS, 2pp. n.d., n.p.—Anne Ober has dated this letter 26 July 1937, Hollywood

Dear Anne:

This letter is long overdue. Suffice to summarize: I have seen Hollywood—talked with Taylor, dined with March, danced with Ginger Rogers (this will burn Scottie up but its true) been in Rosalind Russel's dressing room, wise-cracked with Montgomery, drunk (gingerale) with Zukor and Lasky,* lunched alone with Maureen OSullivan, watched Crawford act and lost my heart to a beautiful half caste Chinese girl whos name I've forgotten. So far Ive bought my own breakfasts.

And this is to say Im through. From now on I go nowhere and see no one because the work is hard as hell, at least for me and I've lost ten pounds. So farewell Miriam Hopkins who leans so close when she talks, so long Claudette Clobert as yet unencountered, mysterious Garbo, glamourous Dietrich, exotic Shirley Temple— you will never know me. Except Miriam who promised to call up but hasn't. There is nothing left, girls but to believe in reincarnation and carry on.

Tell my daughter she is a vile daughter of Babylon who does not write letters but can charge $25. worth of wash dresses at Franklin Simons but nowhere else. Or if she wants Harold will advance her $25 from a check sent today to go to Saks.

Im glad she is playing tennis. I do want to see the wretched little harpy and don't let her make a mess of it. Helen will be in Nyack after the 29th—and is leaving the 2nd. No Long Island date should prevent Scottie from getting in touch with her and coming with her. All Metro could find for chaperones were the Ritz Brothers and I can't see it. They might vanish her as a practical joke.

Yours with Gratitude + Devotion
Scott

Notes:

* Adolph Zukor and Jesse Lasky, studio executives.

The Hollywood figures mentioned by their last names in this letter are actors Robert Taylor, Fredric March, and Robert Montgomery; studio executives Adolph Zukor and Jesse Lasky; and actresses Joan Crawford and Marlene Dietrich.

Scottie traveled to California with actress Helen Hayes.

The Ritz Brothers were a comedy team.

702. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

Scottie talked to Mrs. MacArthur last night and they are leaving on the 20th Century Tuesday, August 3rd. Mrs. MacArthur is taking care of getting the tickets and I'll see that she is paid for them.

I am enclosing a statement dated July 20th which is the last statement before your salary began. I am also enclosing two shorter statements covering your first two salary checks. I am of course taking care of Swanson's commission so you don't need to worry about that. Will you let me know if statements in this form each week will be clear to you?

Anne read me last night the letter you sent her. The only thing I didn't like about it was that you had lost ten pounds and I hope you will soon get some of this back. Anne was very pleased with the letter.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

July 29, 1937

P.S. Perhaps you would rather have us send a monthly statement. I should think you might get a little tired of seeing balance due so often. Perhaps we can think of some way to make up the statements without showing the balance.

703. Account Statement by Ober

Typed account (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald In account with Harold Ober

Balance due Harold Ober June 9			12511.69
Typing:- Financing Finnegan		2.34
“ “ (revised)		3.42
No Time for That Now (new ending)		3.45
Offside Play		5.58
Dentist Appointment		4.50
By Western Union to Asheville, N.C. July 3		400.00
Western Union charge		2.42	421.71
			12933.40
Received from New Yorker	30.00
Ode to Parnassus
All Magazine Rights
10% Commission	3.00	27.00
Received from American Cavalcade	300.00
Early Success
1st American & Canadian serial rights
10% Commission	30.00	270.00
Received from F.S. Fitzgerald July 6		400.00	697.00
Balance due Harold Ober			12236.40

I trust you will find the above accounting correct.
HAROLD OBER
July 20, 1937
F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, Calif.

704. Account Statement by Ober

Typed account (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald In account with Harold Ober

Balance due Harold Ober July 20			12236.40
Received from F.S. Fitzgerald July 23		600.
10% Commission on salary for week ending July 14	100.
Maxwell Perkins	50.
Savings Bank	200.
Advanced to Scottie Fitzgerald:
July 12	15.
20	25.
For Scottie's trip to California	60.	450	150.00
Balance July 23 rd			12086.40

I trust you will find the above accounting correct.
HAROLD OBER
July 23, 1937
F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, Calif.

705. Account Statement by Ober

Typed account (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald In account with Harold Ober

Balance due Harold Ober July 23 rd			12086.40
Received from F.S. Fitzgerald July 28		550.
10% Commission on salary for week ending July 21	100.
Maxwell Perkins	50.
Savings Bank	200.
For Scottie's trip to California	50.	400.	150.00
Balance July 29th			11936.40

I trust you will find the above accounting correct.
HAROLD OBER
July 29, 1937
F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, Calif.

706. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

What do you think about sending FINANCING FINNEGAN to Esquire? It is possible that you have already done this as I think the last time we spoke of it I said I thought that would probably be the best place for it.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

July 30, 1937

707. To Ober

Post card (pencil), n.d.—postmarked 3 August 1937. Los Angeles. (AO)

Dear Harold

Better Send [me] Finnegan to Esquire as if it came Straight from me. I already owe them for it
Scott

708. To Fitzgerald

TLS, 2pp. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

I have the following letter from Littauer of Collier's. You may like to have this with you when you tackle these two stories.

“Here are two stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The one called DENTIST APPOINTMENT * —which belongs to us—still leaves a great deal to be desired. For reasons too numerous to mention we don't like the new ending. Our suggestion to Mr. Fitzgerald now is that he revise the story so as to conclude the action within a very brief space of time.

The best of this story has always been the part that takes place in the farmhouse. After the conclusion of that episode nothing is of comparable interest. Why wouldn't it be possible therefore to finish the story in the place where it begins and within a period of twenty-four hours? After all, what interests us is the relationship of Tib Dulany and Josie Pilgrim. There seems to be no point in making us wait years to bring them to the happy issue. We are inclined to believe that the story will come out well if Josie rebels violently and promptly against the inhumanity of her brother and forsakes him without hesitation in favor of the man he has outraged. There might be another raid by Mosby's men to conclude the story with the rescue of Dulany and the flight of the girl at her injured lover's side.

Now a word about OFFSIDE PLAY. There is a great deal of good stuff in this story but the action is altogether too complicated. Unless we are mistaken the whole thing needs to be simplified and very sharply focused. For instance, the introduction of a co-ed wife for Van Kamp is a piece of strongarm work that ought to make a master of subtleties like Fitzgerald blush for shame. There is too much about Kiki and the Old Grads. There is too much about all sorts of major and minor irrelevancies. If this story ran a true course it would end in the neighborhood of page twenty. The only thing that carries it all the way to page thirty-one is a conglomeration of ellipses and detours that do nothing but confuse the issue and bewilder the reader. Therefore, won't you ask Mr. Fitzgerald to make this the story of Alex and Rip and the girl. Tell us what they do to each other. Throw the spotlight on them in the center of the stage and shove everything else into the background or out in the wings as much as possible. Emphasize particularly the importance and poignancy of the romance of Alex and Kiki.

If you think well of the foregoing suggestions will you pass them along verbatim or in paraphrase to Mr. Fitzgerald and at the same time give him my regards and best wishes. Tell him I am sorry he had to go so far away. I had been hoping to see a lot of him during the coming year.”

I am sending you under separate cover a carbon of OFFSIDE PLAY in case you haven't one with you. I sent you the other day a carbon of DENTIST APPOINTMENT.

Have you with you a copy of THAT KIND OF PARTY?

I am enclosing two receipted bills, one from Best and one from Lord & Taylor.

Sincerely yours, Harold Ober

August 4, 1937

Love to Scottie. The house is very dull and quiet without her. **

Notes:

*A new version of “Thumbs Up.”

** Added in Ober's hand.

709. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

Richard Sherman, who wrote TO MARY WITH LOVE and a number of other stories that have been published in the Post, is working at 20th Century-Fox. His address is 338 North Barrington Avenue, Brentwood, Los Angeles. He has spoken a number of times of wanting to meet you and I think you would enjoy meeting him. He is very modest and somewhat shy and I don't believe he would make the first move. I feel very sure that you would like him and I hope you will call him up.

I have a number of other authors working in Hollywood who I am not going to even mention to you.

I have your postcard and I have sent FINANCING FINNEGAN to Esquire in a plain envelope.

I have also sent you a carbon of THAT KIND OF PARTY.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

August 5, 1937

710. Account Statement by Ober

Typed account, 1 p. From Helen Good * Ober agency letterhead. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald In account with Harold Ober

Balance July 29			11936.40
Received from F. Scott Fitzgerald
Aug. 3		300.00
9		700.00
		1000.00
(from salary for weeks ending July 28 Aug. 4)
&10% Commission	200.00
Maxwell Perkins	100.00
Bowery Savings Bank	400.00	700.00	300.00
			11636.40
Received from F. Scott Fitzgerald
on Aug. 17		600.00
(from salary for week ending Aug. 11)
10% Commission	100.00
Maxwell Perkins	50.00
Bowery Savings Bank	200.00
For Scottie's trip	100.00	450.00	150.00
			11486.40
Received from F. Scott Fitzgerald on
Aug. 17		500.00
(from salary for week ending Aug. 18)
10% Commission	100.00
Maxwell Perkins	50.00
Bowery Savings Bank	200.00	350.00	150.00
Balance Aug. 17			11336.40

August 24, 1937

Notes:

* Helen Good, who was a bookkeeper with Ober at this time, is Anne Ober's sister.

711. To Anne Ober

ALS, 2pp. n.d.—dated by Mrs. Ober, September 1937. Hotel Paso del Norte, El Paso, Texas, stationery.

Dear Anne:

I (we) are making our home here for a few hours till the plane comes.* Scottie will come to you about the 11th or 12th if the invitation is still open. You ask about smoking—with my record of T.B. once in college + then two years ago, + Scotties flat chest smoking would be suicidal—especially as she is not a moderate child but one who would begin with a few + then be smoking a package a day. Thank heavens she doesn't smoke at Walkers. I've asked her not to smoke + can't do much more. Of course don't tell her Ive written this but if it comes up + you ask her she'll tell you frankly, I think, that I don't want her to.

She'll give you all the news better than I could, All goes beautifully in Hollywood but I'm glad of this rest, I slept all day on the train 18 hrs straight which is how hard I've been working

Devotedly Scott

Notes:

* Fitzgerald and Scottie were Eastbound to visit Zelda.

712. To Ober

Wire to Ober 12 September 1937. Asheville, N.C. (AO)

SCOTTIE ARRIVES NEWYORK THIS WEEK WILL PHONE STOP AM HOLLYWOOD BOUND TONIGHT SCOTT.

713. To Anne Ober

Wire to Anne Ober 18 September 1937. Beverly Hills, Calif.

IS SCOTTIE WITH YOU I AM A LITTLE WORRIED AS I HAVE HEARD NOTHING STOP NOTE YOUR LETTER ASKS ABOUT UN-CHAPERONED PARTIES IN NEWYORK AT NIGHT STOP AFRAID IM ABSOLUTELY OPPOSED TO THAT AT FIFTEEN STOP BEST TO ALL DEVOTEDLY SCOTT.

714. To Anne Ober

TLS, 1 p. MGM letterhead.

September 18, 1937.

Dear Ann:

I am enclosing a letter from the Walker School. I hope the note about tutoring reached you.

I don't know whether Scottie is with you or with her Aunt Rosalyn. She hasn't bothered to write me. She really behaved herself beautifully out here and made a great hit with everyone, though I am quite sure she will be the school nuisance this term with her tales of the great and the near-great.

My holiday wasn't much of a holiday as you can imagine, but I think Zelda enjoyed it. Things had gone beautifully out here up to then, but this week it has been very hard to pick up the thread of work, and I see next week a horror trying to make up for five wasted days.

I have your letter and notice that you mentioned something else beside the smoking (I wrote you about that). I still don't believe that she should go out unchaperoned with a boy at night and have never allowed it. As for going alone somewhere after the theatre—my God! is that anywhere allowed at fifteen, or am I Rip Van Winkle? I once let her go with two boys to a dinner dance place here on condition that they would be home before midnight, but I think she understands that was an exception.

She was much too precocious in the things she did at fourteen, but after this year at Walkers, she seems much more appropriately her age, capable of amusing herself usefully and rationally without constant stimulation. I really think she's going to be all right now, though there was a time about a year and a half ago when I thought she was going to become an awful empty head. Thank God for boarding schools.

Something else I wanted to say has eluded me. I am your forever grateful and devoted henchman*

Scott F.

Notes:

* This paragraph added in ink.

715. To Anne Ober

Wire to Anne Ober 19 September 1937. Hollywood, Calif.

IS SCOTTI WITH YOU PLEASE ANSWER GARDEN OF ALLAH HOTEL HOLLYWOOD WORRIED AFFECTIONATELY SCOTT.

716. To Ober

Wire to Ober 28 September 1937. Hollywood, Calif. (AO)

TERRIBLY SHOCKED AND SURPRISED TO SEE THAT TOM COSTAIN HAS CHANGED AND VULGARIZED MY ARTICLE* STOP THIS HAS NEVER BEEN DONE IN SEVENTEEN YEARS AND I WANT TO BRING SUIT OR RECEIVE A SUBSTANTIAL RECOMPENSE STOP I AM SIMPLY NOT TAKING THIS SCOTT FITZGERALD.

Notes:

* “Early Success,” American Cavalcade, October 1937.

717. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 2pp. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq., Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

I got your telegram about the short piece in American Cavalcade. I have just compared the piece word for word with my carbon copy of the manuscript. It is true that the manuscript was cut in a few places, but it hasn't been changed nor vulgarized. Nothing has been written into the article that you didn't write yourself, and it doesn't seem to me that the changes have in any way altered the meaning or the character of the article.

If you remember, your article was written when you needed money in a hurry, and all negotiations were done over the telephone. I remember, however, that the article was longer than Costain wanted, and I understood, and I think you did at the time, that it might have to be cut. The first cut was the following:

“Nickles and dimes in the hand. Did they make a dollar? Almost, but those two stamps had made the difference. And when one is under a dollar everything is different, people look different, food looks different.”

The next cut was the incident of the anonymous admirer who called on you. The next few lines cut were about misspellings in THIS SIDE OF PARADISE. Next a few lines were cut where you mentioned your father being a failure.

If you want, I'll send you a copy of the manuscript, showing you exactly the cuts that were made. By the way, I found one misspelling that should have been changed and wasn't!

I really don't think you need be worried about this, and I don't think you have any ground for serious complaint. I found the article, when I reread it, thoughtful, interesting and dignified, and I don't see how anyone could find it otherwise.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

September 28, 1937

718. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq., Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

When you have time drop me a line and let me know what you are working on in the studio. Will you have any time in the evenings to work on stories? A little work on the Civil War story and on the football story will enable you to cash in on them. The main thing, however, at the present moment is to do a good job in the studio, and from all I hear you are doing that.

Someone called up from the Times yesterday and said that they understood you had finished a play based on TENDER IS THE NIGHT. Your much-loved newspaper, the New York Evening Post, had said that you had only the third part of the last act to finish. Drop me a line when you want to tell me about it.

Scottie is starting back to school on Thursday. She is very busy and very happy and looks very well indeed. We shall miss her when she leaves.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

September 29, 1937

719. Account Statement by Ober

Typed account, 1 p. From Helen Good 8 October 1937. Ober agency letterhead. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald In account with Harold Ober

Balance Aug. 17			11336.40
Received from F. Scott Fitzgerald
on Aug. 31		600.00
(from salary for ws/e Aug. 25 & Sept. 1)
10% Commission	200.00
Maxwell Perkins	100.00	300.00	300.00
			11036.40,
Received from F. Scott Fitzgerald
on Sept. 22		307.20
(from salary for w/e Sept. 15& July 8—one day)
10% Commission	107.20
Maxwell Perkins	50.00	157.20	150.00
			10886.40
Received from F. Scott Fitzgerald
on Sept. 29		300.00
(from salary for w/e Sept. 22)
10% Commission	100.00
Maxwell Perkins	50.00	150.00	150.00
			10736.40
Received from F. Scott Fitzgerald
on Oct. 6		400.00
(from salary for w/e Sept. 29)
10% Commission	100.00
Maxwell Perkins	50.00
For Scottie's expenses	100.00	250.00	150.00
			10586.40

720. To Ober

TLS, 2pp. MGM letterhead. (AO)

October 8, 1937.

Mr. Harold Ober 408 East 49th St. New York, N. Y.

Dear Harold:

Will you get in touch with this woman. I understand that Mrs. Jarrett and Miss Oglebay* are well-known writers, though I don't happen to have heard of them.

So far as I know, nothing new has happened to TENDER IS THE NIGHT—last I heard of, Kirkland's option had expired— didn't it? and the Spofford play pretty much turned down, so I think this is a good bet. Maybe they have a new approach that will solve the problem. In fact, I wish you would make an encouraging deal with them, as something must be done within the next two years to keep the book alive. Of all my books it seems the biggest cripple. I suggest the terms that we gave Owen Davis—half the paid play royalties and a third of the total moving picture rights with the manager taking a third. Or perhaps I could be content with a [full] fourth of the moving picture rights. What do you think? They are not as well known as Davis, but on the other hand, TENDER is a good deal deader than GATSBY was when Davis dramatized it.

I'm sorry about the awful row I raised about the Calvacade story. I don't know what was the matter with me that morning—I could have sworn that I hadn't written a line of it, especially that first part. I know I wrote it in an awful hurry, but it seems odd that I should have forgotten it to that extent. Anyhow, thanks and a thousand pardons. Incidently, when I read the article over again last night, it didn't seem so bad.

I finished THREE COMRADES on my own. Mankiewicz** was enthusiastic about the first part and will report on the second part tomorrow. We are going over it together which means a rewriting of perhaps three weeks duration. They planned for it to go into production when Taylor*** gets back from England sometime in November. I was two months and a week on the script, which is rather more than averagely fast time. If I do three weeks more on it, my work will still have cost them less than a fifth of what the average shooting script costs. So I seem to be a good investment— unless something untoward happens. The thing is rather dangerous politically—aside from that I think nothing stands in the way of its going through and of my getting the credit, which is a big thing out here. You have credits, or you don't have credits, and naturally I'm eager to have one in the book. What the next assignment will be, I don't know.

I'm happy here but of course the first excitement has worn off and I fret a good deal with the desire to do work on my own. Perhaps after another adaptation they will let me do an original, which will exercise the intellectual muscles in a more [agreeable] amplified manner.

The checks against taxes have lapsed and will continue to be absent for a while as there are more insurance payments due than I thought, and it seems to me they should be cleared up first. After all, it isn't next year that the taxes will fall so heavily but the year after, when it should be counted as a regular weekly deduction from my check.

I am also enclosing a letter in regard to the letter mailed me by Graham Reid as to THE VEGETABLE.**** I think I will accept the offer. It hasn't flopped for a long time now and maybe their changes will do something with it.

In regard to the stories, I am going to do something about them but have definitely postponed it until after THREE COMRADES is in the bag—as I told you which is a matter of three weeks more. Then I will either take a week off or simply find time some way in the early morning. So tell Colliers not to fret about it. The longer I wait the more I am liable to get a fresh point of view. I think maybe you are dead on them and so is Collier, and I will have them both read here by someone who can put their finger on the trouble. Both of them come so near being right that I am sure the actual writing won't be any trouble. To get the right point of view is the question —which seems to be all [off] right now.

Yours, Ever Scott Fitz

Notes:

* Cora Jarrett and Kate Oglebay.

** Fitzgerald's first major assignment. Joseph Mankiewicz, the producer, subsequently revised Fitzgerald's script.

*** Robert Taylor.

**** In the top margin of page one, a note in another hand reads: “Can't find letter from Graham Reid on the Vegetable but have made note and will send it tomorrow. F S. F Per T.B.” The Masque Players, a Chicago amateur group, had requested permission to “modernize” the play.

721. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq., Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

I saw Edwin Knopf on Friday, and he told me that he and everyone at Metro-Goldwyn is delighted with the work you are doing on the picture you are now working on. I am glad everything is going well with you.

We had a letter from Scottie the other day. She seems very busy and very happy.

We are enclosing an account. If you would rather have these accounts oftener or less often, let me know. If you would rather have them once in three months, we can do it that way.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

October 13, 1937

722. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), l p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq., Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

Thank you for your letter of October 8th and for the copy of the letter from Mrs. Pritchett and your reply,

One of these women, Mrs. Jarrett, is Cora Jarrett who wrote NIGHT OVER FITCH'S POND, THE GANKGO TREE, and other books. She is a writer of a great deal of ability. The other one I don't know anything about but I will find out what I can about her. We'll draw up an agreement along the lines you suggest. Your share of the picture rights is now definitely determined by the minimum basic agreement. The authors now receive 60% and the managers 40%. Your share would, therefore, be 30%.

Thanks for letting me know about your work in Hollywood. I hope THREE COMRADES will be a very successful picture and that when I go to see it I shall see your name on the screen in large letters.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

October 20, 1937

723. To Fitzgerald

TL(cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq., Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

I am glad to know that Metro-Goldwyn have exercised your option.* More often than not, options which carry increased salaries are not renewed. They certainly are not renewed unless the writer is doing good work. Everyone I see from Metro tells me you are doing exceedingly good work.

Are you coming East during the Christmas Holidays. If you come, I hope we shall see you. We had a note from Scottie saying that her vacation begins on the 17th. She will probably see us on the 18th or 19th before she goes to Baltimore. We hope she will be with us after she gets through her Baltimore parties and before she goes back to school. We shall, of course, be delighted to have you stay with us any time you can.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

December 7, 1937

Notes:

* MGM renewed Fitzgerald's contract for twelve months at $1,250 a week.

724. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 2pp. n.d.—received 14 December 1937. Garden of Allah, Hollywood, Calif., stationery. (AO)

Dear Harold:

Im glad too that they renewed the contract. Well, I've worked hard as hell—in a world where it seems to me the majority are loafers + incompetents.

If they'll let me work alone all the time, which I think they will when they have a little more confidence I think I can turn out four [or five] pictures a year by myself with months off included. Then I'll ask for some big money.

It is nervous work but I like it, save for the damn waiting + the time-killing conferences.

Im going to try to bring the Colliers story East at Xmas. I will come to N. Y. for at least a day + let you know my whereabouts in the meanwhile. Scottie has managed to work out some system for what looks like a good share of Baltimore dancing. Thanks for wanting her—She'll write you or I will to arrange a visit to you when its convenient of you to have her. [as of course] I hope to have my scattered family together Xmas day somewhere More later

Scott

725. To Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ober

Wire to Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ober, n.d. 25 December 1937. Hollywood, Calif.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO TWO PEOPLE WHO MADE AN OLD YEAR POSSIBLE AND A NEW YEAR HAPPY SCOTT FITZGERALD.

726. To Anne Ober

ALS (pencil), 2pp. n.d.—c. Christmas 1937. Los Angeles.

Dear Anne:

Thanks for your note. Scottie will be north again before school opens. As she is obviously destined to be a perpetual guest I do try to split her visits with such easily-imposed-on yaps as the Finneys and Obers into reasonable bits lest the golden gooses cease to lay— wait a minute, this metaphor has gotten entirely out of hand. Any how all I can think of is for you and Harold to spend your old age with me—and even that wont square things.

These letters or cards for Scottie come to hand—better hold them. I have high hopes of getting East before she goes back to school— if not I'll go to her school in January. I love it here. It's nice work if you can get it and you can get it if you try about three years. The point is once you've got it—Screen Credit 1st, a Hit 2nd and the Academy Award 3d—you can count on it forever—like Laurence Stallings* does—and know there's one place you'll be fed, without [work] being asked to even wash the dishes. But till we get those [cre] three accolades we Hollywood boys keep trying.

That's [obliterated] [is] cynical but I'm not a bit cynical. I'm delighed with screen credit and really hopeful of a hit—the line up is good, depending on whether or not one of our principals has to have an operation. I hope none of you need even an extraction

Ever Affectionately Scott Fitzg—

P.S. I recognized the dogs individually in your Christmas card. I'm going to have my suite photographed with the mice in the hall for next Xmas. (Im getting old and un-fertile so will put this crack in my note-book)

Notes:

* Author of What Price Glory? and successful screen-writer.

727. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 2pp. n.d., n.p.—received 31 December 1937. Los Angeles. (AO)

Dear Harold:

All is in confusion about the production date * —or rather about the script-for-production + therefore my plans are vague. Scottie's too.

In brief I can leave here either Mon 2nd (doubtful) + see Scottie, or else Fri 8th + go up to school + see her.

In either case will you look forward, if convenient, to having her with you from the 3d on or thereabouts. She went to see her mother + is now with her beloved Peaches in Baltimore. I called her on the phone today + she mentions festivities of great local import which probably involve some new boy wonder but I failed to follow it exactly except that it involves staying there till after New Years to go to a dance which came persistently over the phone as the “Whacknot”.

She said her mother seemed well—went out for a drive with her alone.

I envy you your children for Xmas. (Dick's friend Jackson from [the] Exeter wasn't the star as prophecied.) I suppose I'll see enough of Scottie sometime + should be grateful for this summer.

Life is now like the end of all novels + short stories [at present] —me the only one caring, + ready to weep about it, tho that's confidential. Such statements in the East seemed aimed at a trust but here they are re-directed at individuals. Did you ever hear of a screen-writer giving out real interviews?

I thought I'd divide the $1250.00 (until [the] my [obliterated] insurance ect. is finally paid up as.)

125. Commission

75. Scribner

200. Debt to you

400.

200. Absolute deposit against taxes

600. To you absolutely every week

Balance of 650. to me

I bet 3 Comrades is good. We go into production the 4th**

Ever Yr Devoted Friend Scott

P. S. Check Enclosed.

Notes:

* For Three Comrades.

** These two sentences, the closing, and the postscript are written along the left margin of page two.

Fitzgerald stopped keeping his ledger in 1937. He published six stories, one poem, and two articles during that year.

728. To Ober

Wire to Ober 4 January 1938. Los Angeles. (AO)

WILL BE DELAYED PROBABLY UNTIL THIS WEEKEND STOP PLEASE TELL SCOTTY THAT HER FUTURE PLANS DEPEND ON HOW MUCH LATIN GROUNDWORK SHE CAN DO IN EIGHT DAYS STOP BEST REGARDS ALWAYS * SCOTT.

Notes:

* Scottie had failed a Latin exam.

729. To Fitzgerald

Harold Ober Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 4 January 1938. (AO)

SCOTTIE HERE TUTORING ARRANGED. SURE SHE WILL BE ALL RIGHT REMEMBER SHE IS ONLY SIXTEEN MY BOYS WILL NOT GET TO COLLEGE UNTIL EIGHTEEN BUT I SHALL BE AS FIRM WITH HER AS I CAN SO DO NOT WORRY

730. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 2pp. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

I have prepared contracts for the dramatization of TENDER IS THE NIGHT between yourself and Cora Jarrett and Kate Oglebay. You will recall that you wrote to me about this sometime ago. The contracts have been signed by the two dramatists and if you find them satisfactory, will you sign all copies and send them to me?

Briefly the contract provides that the dramatists will submit an outline of the play to you by February 8th. You will have three weeks in which to approve the outline. If you do approve it, they will then have until June 1st to write the completed dramatization. You will then have three weeks to approve the dramatization. If you approve it, the dramatists will have eighteen months in which to secure a production contract for the play, and any producer they may propose is also subject to your approval.

Cora Jarrett's latest novel is called I ASK NO OTHER THING. She has also written NIGHT OVER FITCH'S POND, THE GINKGO TREE and STRANGE HOUSES. Miss Oglebay has been connected with the theatre for sometime although she has not had anything of hers produced.

The play royalties and receipts from all other sources are to be divided equally between you and the dramatists. Under the terms of the minimum Basic Agreement, the manager receives a 40% interest in the motion picture rights, leaving a balance of 60% to the authors, of which your share would be 1/2 or 30% of the gross. Under the terms of the contract you are fully protected in the event this venture is unsuccessful.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

January 11, 1938

P. S. Will you also initial the pages of the contracts where I have made checks.

731. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 12 January 1938. Los Angeles. (AO)

Dear Harold:

After this the checks will be $400. or $600 as last Wed ended my 1st wk. under the new salary. Please check this now. In my calculation we're square—for the 1st six months (minus the week I took off in Sept.

This year I will be paying you at the rate of $850. a month so we should be clear well before Xmas.

I'll be seeing you within ten days
Scott

732. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

Thank you for your check for $300.00 for the week ending January 5, 1937.* I understand from Swanson that Metro are keeping you on the old contract until January 12, 193[7]8, to make up the week you took off in September. The enclosed accounts do not include the $300.00 received today.

Will you let me know what disposition to make of the $50.00 from your salary from the weeks ending December 29, 1937 and January 5, 1938—the $50.00 usually set aside for Max Perkins. Your account with him, $1150.00, was paid in full with the check from your salary with the week ending December 22, 1937.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

January 14, 1938

Notes:

* i.e., 1938.

733. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

I haven't heard from you but I hope you arrived safely in Hollywood. This letter is to remind you that the contract covering the dramatization of TENDER IS THE NIGHT stipulates that you must give your disapproval of the script within three weeks—or by February 17th. If no disapproval is given, the dramatization is automatically approved.

So please remember to send me a wire about this so that I shall receive it on or before the 17th of this month.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

February 7, 1938

734. To Ober

TLS, 2pp. MGM letterhead. (AO)

February 9, 1938.

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th St. New York, N. Y.

Dear Harold:

I went on salary on the day I arrived, which was Monday, January 31st. The $200.00 is for the half week from Monday to Wednesday. The $400.00 is for the new week which will end today, February 9th. Beginning next week, I will be sending you $600.00 to bank $200.00 against taxes as we agreed.

I have two letters from you regarding Scottie and her expenses. I will take care of Scottie's expenses next week, or you can charge them against my general account.

It is all right about the dramatization of TENDER IS THE NIGHT, though I am returning the manuscript with some suggested changes. It seemed to me excellent. I am amazed at how much of the novel they got into it. My only fear is that there is perhaps a little too much of the novel in it, so that some of the dialogue has a Shavian voluminousness.

I am writing Ann at length. Of course, every item of expense which she incurred in going to Hartford must go on my account. I must contribute at least that to the party which Scottie described as “perfectly wonderful”.

Sidney Skolsky, a columnist, says this week that: “The screen play of THREE COMRADES was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and E. E. Paramore Jr., and there was grapevine news that it was one of the best scripts ever turned in at Metro.”* But though one is being given many compliments, the truth of the matter is that the heart is out of the script and it will not be a great picture, unless I am very much mistaken. Tracy** has to go to the hospital and Franchot Tone plays his part, which is the final blow. I have been watching the taking of the mob scenes which ought to be excellent if they were about anything, now that the German Consul has had its say.

I am in the midst of one of those maddening weeks here where I am waiting to see Mr. Stromberg.*** It seems odd to be paid for telephoning twice a day to see if I can get an appointment, but everyone says that I am lucky to be with him because when he works he goes directly to the point and is the best producer on the lot, if not in Hollywood.

I will be on the new Joan Crawford picture**** and it looks at the moment as if I will have to write an original even though it will be founded on some play or story. There is no full length play or novel available that seems really suited for her, as she is the most difficult star to cast. Anyhow, that will be my assignment up to Easter, I think, and probably for some time afterwards.

I have a lot more to write you, but this will do for the present.

We had a terrible trip back, and the plane flew all over the South before it could buck through the winds up to Memphis, then it flew back and forth for three hours between Memphis and Nashville, trying to land. Then we got a tail-wind behind us and blew into Los Angeles only four hours late Monday morning.

I have not forgotten any of our conversations and shall try to follow your suggestions about money, work, etc.

Yours, Scott

Notes:

* The New York Daily Mirror, 9 February 1928, p. 26.

** Spencer Tracy.

The dramatization by Cora Jarrett and Kate Oglebay was not produced.

** Hunt Stromberg, MGM producer.

**** “Infidelity”—not produced.

735. To Ober

Wire to Ober 14 February 1938. Hollywood, Calif. (AO)

SOMEONE PRODUCING PLAY CALLED SAVE ME THE WALTZ STOP PLEASE INVESTIGATE STOP LIKE JARRET PLAY AND AM WRITING HER
SCOTT FITZGERALD.

736. To Fitzgerald

TLS, 1 p. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

I have your telegram about SAVE ME THE WALTZ. This play is by Catherine Dayton who wrote FIRST LADY, and it is now being tried out in Washington. The notices have not been very good and it may not come to New York at all.

I have talked to Max Perkins and he thinks that about a year ago they had a request to use this title and that they consulted you and then refused. He is going to look-up the letters and send me copies.

With evidence that they had asked permission and were refused we can make a strong complaint and ask that the title be changed. I asked my lawyer and he tells me that in his opinion there is no legal way to prevent the use of this title. As you know, there is no copyright on a title. If Zelda's book were a current book and selling large numbers of copies, something could be done but it was published several years ago and the sale is over and in his opinion it would be impossible to prove damages.

I am glad you are working with Stromberg. I think he is one of the very best of the producers.

I am glad, too, that the dramatization of TENDER IS THE NIGHT was fairly satisfactory and I am pleased you are writing to the author.

Sincerely yours, Harold Ober

February 15, 1938

737. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. MGM letterhead. (AO)

February 17, 1938.

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th St. New York, N. Y.

Dear Harold:

It has just occurred to me that that man to whom I was so rude at luncheon, was Weise of McCalls.* Suggest you send him the attached letter as if you were doing it without my suggestion.

If it was not Weise of McCalls, disregard this, because I don't remember any other Weise. There is no use making an enemy of an editor.

Enclosed also is a letter to Cora Jarrett about the play. It seems to me awfully talky and somewhat complicated, but they are implicit in their attempt. I think they have done a much better job than could be hoped for. I wish them the greatest of luck with it.

Yours, F Scott Fitzgerald

P.S. Will you please forward Mrs. Jarrett's letter to her.

Notes:

* In the top margin a note with a line indicating “rude” written in Ober's hand reads: “He certainly was”.

737a. To Edwin S. Jarrett

TL (copy), 2pp. n.d.—c. 17 February 1938. Los Angeles, Calif. (AO)

To Mrs. Edwin S. Jarrett c/o Harold Ober

Dear Mrs. Jarrett:

The play pleases me immensely. So faithful has been your following of my intentions that my only fear is that you have been too loyal. I hope you haven't—I hope that a measure of the novel's intention can be crammed into the two hours of the play. My thanks, hope and wishes are entirely with you—it pleases me in a manner that the acting version of THE GREAT GATSBY did not. And I want especially to congratulate you and Miss Oglebay on the multiple feats of ingenuity with which you've handled the difficult geography and chronology so that it has a unity which, God help me, I wasn't able to give it.

My first intention was to go through it and “criticize it”, but I see I'm not capable of doing that—too many obstacles in my own mind prevent me from getting a clear vision. I had some notes—that Rosemary wouldn't express her distaste for the battlefield trip—she had a good time and it belittles Dick's power of making things fun. Also a note that Dick's curiosity and interest in people was real— he didn't stare at them—he glanced at them and felt them. I don't know what point of the play I was referring to. Also I'm afraid some of his long Shavian speeches won't play—and no one's sorrier than I am—his comment on the battle of the Somme for instance. Also Tommy seemed to me less integrated than he should be. He was Tommy Hitchcock in a way whose whole life is a challenge—who is only interested in realities, his kind—in going to him you've brought him into the boudoir a little—I should be careful of what he says and does unless you can feel the strong fresh-air current in him. I realize you've had to use some of the lesser characters for plot transitions and convenience, but when any of them go out of character I necessarily feel it, so I am a poor critic. I know the important thing is to put over Dick in his relations to Nicole and Rosemary and if you can, Bob Montgomery and others here would love to play the part. But it must get by Broadway first.

If it has to be cut, the children will probably come out. On the stage they will seem to press, too much for taste, against distasteful events. As if Dick had let them in for it—he is after all a sort of superman, an approximation of the hero seen in overcivilized terms —taste is no substitute for vitality but in the book it has to do duty for it. It is one of the points on which he must never show weakness as Siegfried could never show physical fear. I did not manage, I think in retrospect, to give Dick the cohesion I aimed at, but in your dramatic interpretation I beg you to guard me from the exposal of this. I wonder what the hell the first actor who played Hamlet thought of the part? I can hear him say, “The guy's a nut, isn't he?” (We can always find great consolation in Shakespeare.)

Also to return to the criticism I was not going to make—I find in writing for a particular screen character here that it's convenient to suggest the way it's played, especially the timing, i.e.

At the top of page 25 it would probably be more effective—

Rosemary didn't grow up. (pause) It's better that way. (pause) etc.

But I'd better return to my thesis. You've done a fine dramatization and my gratitude to you is a part of the old emotion I put into the book, part of my life as a writer.

Most sincerely, F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

738. To Fitzgerald

TLS, 1 p. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

I am enclosing three copies of an agreement between you and Sheila. If you want any changes in these, suppose you make them in pencil and send them back to me and I'll have them retyped.

It doesn't seem to me that there is any necessity for including a clause in which you assume responsibility for breach of the Metro contract by reason of the collaboration. I don't think that should be in the collaboration agreement as these agreements are supposed to be filed with the Dramatists' Guild. This point could be covered in a separate letter which could be signed by you.

I don't think in any case that this play could be in any way a breach of the Metro contract. You have the right to write a play and I am sure that Metro doesn't care what you do about it.

Sincerely yours, Harold Ober

February 18, 1938

Fitzgerald's relationship with Sheilah Graham has been thoroughly covered in her three books: Beloved Infidel (1958), The Rest of the Story (1964), and College of One (1967). They first saw each other on 14 July 1937 at Robert Benchley's apartment in the Garden of Allah, within a week of Fitzgerald's arrival in Hollywood, and met a few days later. They quickly fell in love, but maintained separate homes until shortly before his death. A divorce from Zelda was out of the question. Their relationship was marred by Fitzgerald's drinking, but Miss Graham kept him on the wagon during the last year of his life.

When Fitzgerald discovered Miss Graham's insecurity about her lack of education, he created an elaborate college curriculum for her and tutored her assiduously. Their only substantial collaboration was a 1938 play, Dame Rumor, which was not finished.

739. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

Thank you for your note of February 17th. It was Weise of McCall's who spoke to us at lunch and I am sending your letter over to him. I am also sending Mrs. Jarrett the letter you wrote her.

Spafford has signed and returned to me a release I sent him in connection with the GRACIE ALLEN AT SEA story. I have told him that you would give him 20% of your net return from it if you are able to do anything with it in Hollywood.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

February 21, 1938

740. To Anne Ober

TLS, 3 pp.

8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, California March 4th, 1938

Mrs. Harold Ober Dromore Road Scarsdale, New York

Dear Anne:

I have just had a letter from “our” daughter, which I know I should laugh off as being merely the product of a mood. Even at that, I don't think she ought to have chosen her very gloomiest hour to write me. In it, there is not one word of cheer, hope or even a decent yielding to circumstances. One would suppose it to have emanated from some thoroughly brutalized child in an orphan asylum, who would shortly graduate from a woman's reformatory to her life's sentence in the prison of this world.

Among other points, I note that she is switching her allegiance from Vassar to Bryn Mawr. Now this might seem a slight thing, a mere vagary, but to a shrewd old diplomat like myself it has a different meaning. Bryn Mawr is an hour and a half by the clock from Baltimore, and Scotty has pictured college as a series of delightful weekends with the subdebutantes, in which she would find time of a Monday morning to slip back to Bryn Mawr to boast of her exploits. The distance of Vassar from Baltimore is a fair six hours. Moreover, in my opinion, it is safely insulated from the soft mellow breezes of the Southland and the scholars are actuated by the stern New England air—even though Poughkeepsie is just across the border.

So I wrote her that knowing her predilection for Baltimore, I was entering her—in case she failed to get into Vassar—in St. Timothy's School, so that she can be near her sacred city. St. Timothy's School happens to be a convent-like place, where the girls have to walk in twos on their Sunday outing, and patronized entirely by New Yorkers; and I'm afraid all she would ever see of Baltimore would be a few lights on the horizon at night.

The point is I am giving her her freedom proportionately as she will earn it by a serious attitude towards work. If she is going to college at sixteen, just as I went to college at sixteen, she could no more be kept in bib and tucker than I could have been kept from having a beer with my eighteen-year-old classmates. She will have earned her right to more freedom, with me praying that her judgment will keep pace with her precocity and keep her out of trouble. If, on the contrary, she is going to try to combine being a belle with getting an education, she had better stay under protection for another year. The idea is so simple that I should think she'd get it. But such phrases as “absurdly irrational” appear in her letters, applying to my attitude.

So I have become the heavy father again and lash into her. Her latest plaint is how can I expect her to get 80 in Latin when last term, doing some work, she got only 50. In other words, she has taken 50, her low mark, as a standard, instead of a passing point of 60.

I am taking off a week around the end of this month to try to establish communication with her again and see whether I have unknowingly begotten a monster of egotism, who writes me these letters.

She raved about the party. I had no idea that it was anything as elaborate as that. I thought merely it was a question of two or three girls and I would have gone utterly unprepared. But I suppose she was so indebted that she felt she had to entertain half the school to get square again. You were wonderful to her to do all that—much better than I ever could have done.

We will have to make a mass pilgrimage to her graduation this June. I am hoping her mother can come, too, and we will watch all the other little girls get diamond bracelets and Cord roadsters. I am going to a costumer's in New York and buy Scotty some phoney jewelry so she can pretend they are graduation presents. Otherwise, she will have to suffer the shame of being a poor girl in a rich girl's school. That was always my experience—a poor boy in a rich town; a poor boy in a rich boy's school; a poor boy in a rich man's club at Princeton. So I guess she can stand it. However, I have never been able to forgive the rich for being rich, and it has colored my entire life and works.

“Three Comrades” opens without Spencer Tracy, but with Margaret Sullavan doing a wonderful job. Shooting will be finished in twenty days, and the thing will be the most colossal disappointment of Metro's year. The producer wrote it over. The censors hacked at it. Finally, the German Government took a shot. So what we have left has very little to do with the script on which people still congratulate me. However, I get a screen credit out of it, good or bad, and you can always blame a failure on somebody else. This is simply to advise you stay away.

A good deal of the glow of Hollywood has worn off for me during the struggles with the first picture, but I would as soon be here as anywhere else. After forty, one's surroundings don't seem to matter as much.

Best to all of you.

With devotion and gratitude, always, Scott

My God, What a garralous letter! [Added in ink.]

741. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. n.d.—received 7 March 1938. (AO)

8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, California

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York City

Dear Harold:

Forward this to Miss Dayton, if you think advisable.* I would like to get some correspondence from her and give it to the Authors' League. It's a pretty dirty piece of thievery, considering that Phil Barry** made a financial offer for the title, which we refused. It's one hell of a good title and one very suitable to a dancing picture.

The script goes very well indeed.*** I think I am going to have my pay check sent directly to you because there will be various other disbursements from now on and they will be easier for you to make than for me.

No special news. Thanks for Sheila contracts. Will take care of it and forward.

Ever yours, Scott

Notes:

* Fitzgerald's letter to Katherine Dayton refers to her use of the play title Save Me the Waltz; it reads: “All right, but don't, oh don't say I didn't warn you.” A note in the bottom margin in Ober's hand reads: “didn't send because play flopped. Instead sent letter to Fleischer for Scott to sign. HO”.

** Philip Barry, playwright.

*** Probably “Infidelity.”

742. To Fitzgerald

TLS, 1 p. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

I'll be interested to know what you are working on now and how everything goes with you.

Anne and I drove up to the Ethel Walker School on Saturday and saw the senior play PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Scottie played the part of Mrs. Bennett and was extremely good. She seemed much more at home on the stage than any of the other girls. The front seats were reserved for the families of the cast. The principal of the school had the middle seat in the front row and I found myself sitting on her right as the parent of one of the leading parts and the father of the other lead sitting on her left. The play was really very well done and we enjoyed seeing Scottie. We took her to tea in the afternoon and she is looking very well and seems very happy. Mrs. Lloyd said she was doing better this term. She was very enthusiastic about her French and English but she wasn't as good in Latin and mathematics.

I am enclosing an account to date.

Sincerely yours, Harold Ober

March 7, 1938

743. To Anne and Harold Ober

TLS, 1 p. Garden of Allah stationery.

March 11th, 1938

Dear Anne and Harold:

It was perfectly magnificent of you to go up to Scottie's play. Thank you for the report on her success, and most sincere sympathy for having to sit next to the headmistress. Harold, I'll bet you writhed and expected at any moment to be kept after school—I know I should have. There is something about that atmosphere from which a child never really recovers.

I am a third through “Infidelity”—Crawford picture. I suspect that Hunt Stromberg is going to put the pressure on, but he isn't going to succeed. I worked myself half sick on the last picture and I am going to keep to a safe and sane schedule on this one. Also, I am not going to be kept here Easter. I'm awfully glad now that I wrote the vacations into my contract. Again, a thousand thanks.

Scott

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Ober Dromore Road Scarsdale, New York

744. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. Garden of Allah stationery. (AO)

March 11, 1938

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York City

Dear Harold:

These are checks for the weeks ending March 3 and March 10. Also, there is a check for $100 against Scottie's account. I notice that you have been paying Scribner's account at the rate of from $75 to $100 a week. I would rather you paid them only $50 a week until this account of Scottie's is paid up. You will notice that there is nothing against taxes for these two weeks, because this month I have both taxes and insurance to pay. I will begin depositing against taxes again next week.

Scott

745. To Ober

Wire to Ober 18 March 1938. Hollywood, Calif. (AO)

PLEASE LET SCOTTIE HAVE UP TO A HUNDRED AND MORE IF SHE HAS GOOD REASON FOR IT. WILL INCLUDE IN TOMORROWS CHECK REGARDS FITZGERALD.

746. To Ober

ALS, 1 p. n.d.—received 25 March 1938. Garden of Allah stationery. (AO)

Dear Harold:

I will be for wires c/o Mrs. R. C. Taylor,* Gosnold Ave Norfolk Va. I'm not coming north unless you want especially to see me. Im pretty weary + not looking forward to this Trip.

This check is shy—to pay commission + what you advanced Scottie—will renew next week

Ever Scott

Notes:

* Fitzgerald's favorite cousin, Ceci.

747. To Ober

Wire to Ober 7 April 1938. Hollywood, Calif. (AO)

THIS IS BAD MONTH AND MAY HAVE TO PAY YOU OR INSURANCE FROM NEWYORK BANK FOR ANOTHER WEEK. HOW MUCH IS THERE AND HOW DO I DRAW ON IT. PLEASE ANSWER DIRECT WIRE LETTER FOLLOWS FITZGERALD.

748. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 7 April 1938. (AO)

ACCOUNTANT GONE FOR DAY SO CANNOT WIRE AMOUNT IN BANK ALL RIGHT TO POSTPONE PAYMENTS TO ME TOO BAD TO DRAW ON SAVINGS WILL WIRE IN MORNING Harold Ober

749. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 8 April 1938. (AO)

ACCOUNT IS HAROLD OBER IN TRUST FOR F. SCOTT FITZGERALD. I CAN WITHDRAW FOR YOU AND REMIT YOUR BANK OR WHEREVER YOU WISH. SIXTEENHUNDRED IN ACCOUNT. Harold Ober

750. To Ober

Wire to Ober 12 April 1938. Hollywood, Calif. (AO)

PLEASE WITHDRAW EIGHT HUNDRED AND WIRE IT TO THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BALTIMORE STOP. AM SENDING CHECK TONITE TO COVER COMMISSIONS AND SOME DEBT STOP. AFFAIRS NOT AS CONFUSED AS THIS SOUNDS BUT METRO ARE RUSHING ME ON STORY STOP. IS SCOTTIE ALL RIGHT.
SCOTT FITZGERALD.

751. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

As I wired you Scottie went back to school yesterday. She has been with us off and on during the latter part of her vacation. She is very well and very happy and very busy. She and Dick and Nat all went back to school saying that they are going to get good marks for their last terms. Here's hoping they do!

I was rather sorry that you had to withdraw on your savings account and still sorrier to find that there was not more in your account. I hope that during the rest of this year you can build this up to a really good-sized amount so that when you want to get to work on your novel you will be able to do so without worrying about money.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

April 13, 1938

752. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. Garden of Allah stationery. (AO)

April 18, 1938

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York City

Dear Harold:

I'd like to see the book * referred to here.

Scott Fitzg

Notes:

* Assigned to Adventure by Irene Kuhn (New York: Lippincott, 1938). Autobiography of a reporter, which mentions Fitzgerald only in passing.

753. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah, 8152 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif.

Dear Scott:

Scottie came back from Baltimore on the 3rd. I am very glad to have your letter although I am sorry that you are so tired. Of course, you know that Metro has let out a lot of people and all the picture companies are retrenching. In general, it is not a good time to raise prices. However, you know the circumstances better than anybody else, and if Stromberg seems very enthusiastic about the next copy you turn in, I don't think there would be any harm at all in suggesting a higher salary.

I am leaving for London tomorrow to be gone until about May 27th but I have arranged for everything to be taken care of while I am gone. I may call you up in Hollywood to night.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

April 19, 1938

754. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, California

Dear Scott:

I am just back from a very satisfactory and pleasant trip to London and I'll be glad to have a note telling me how everything is going with you. Let me know what you are working on and how your health is.

Anne is planning to drive Zelda up to Scottie's graduation next week.

I am in a rush just now, but I will write more in a few days.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

May 27, 1938

755. To Ober

Wire to Ober 8 June 1938. Los Angeles. (AO)

SCOTTY WILL BE DELIVERED TO YOUR OFFICE LATE TOMORROW MORNING STOP REMEMBER IT IS AMERICAN AIRLINES THE AFTERNOON SLEEPER FOR LOSANGELES STOP TREMENDOUSLY OBLIGED PLEASE BE TERRIBLY DISCREET AS IT IS NOT AS IF THIS HAPPENED DURING TERM AND IT MAY BE MINIMIZED *
SCOTT FITZGERALD.

Notes:

* Scottie had left the Ethel Walker school grounds without permission. She had already been graduated, but had remained at the school to study for college boards.

756. To Ober

Wire to Anne Ober 8 June 1938. Los Angeles.

IF SCOTTY IS TO TAKE COLLEGE BOARD EXAMINATION SHE SHOULD BRING HER TEXT BOOKS STOP THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING
SCOTT FITZGERALD.

757. To Fitzgerald

ALS, 2pp.—c. 8 June 1938. Probably never mailed. (PU)

Dear Scott,

I hope you won't mind my writing you what I feel about Scottie's last escapade. I'm sure there was nothing “vicious” or “non social” in it. School was over and she thought she could “get away with it”. She didn't do it out of “defiance” but because she didn't think they would be caught. This is not to excuse her—but I think from what you said last night that you attribute to her motives that has never thought of.

Scottie is I am sure really sorry and ashamed of what she did and when you talk to her I hope you will do it with affection and understanding rather than as the “heavy father”. She is only 16 and if you and I look back to when we were 16, we shall have to admit that we were not very wise.

I know that you expect a great deal of Scottie and you are right to do so—but you mustn't be too dissapointed if she doesnt always come up to your expectations. You know we don't always come up to our own. She has done silly things—but I sincerely believe that there is not a particle of meanness or wrong in her. I think her feeling about the Walker school is what any lively girl feels about that kind of school. Scottie gets into more trouble because she is more inventive. There are so many nice things about Scottie and we mustnt forget them when we are facing the mistakes.

I hope she can keep at work on her college boards and if she can make it, I think she ought to be allowed to go to Vassar.

Please forgive me if I have ventured into places that are none of my business. I hope you know that I do it because I am very fond of both you and Scottie

As ever Harold

758. To Ober

ALS (ink and pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 10 June 1938. Los Angeles. (AO)

Just finished talking to you on the phone. This isn't quite as bad as if it had happened in term time but it's plenty to keep her out of Vassar + change the whole course of her life. I don't know anything until I see her—there's no use punishing her because the world will now be delighted to do that for me. I am very shocked + discouraged.

Dear Harold:

For a few weeks I'll have to reduce payments to $300. I'll resume the other in July.

Im sorry to hear about Annes father—those things are always nearer home than we think even if parents are old. It calls up so much of the past

Ever Scott

In regard to that old matter—the raise. Just as I was about to open my mouth Mr. Breen the censor stepped in + we had no picture at all.* I'm at present on The Women for Norma Sheerer as Swan-son may have told you

Notes:

* Refers to “Infidelity.”

759. To Mr. and Mrs. Ober

Wire to Mr. and Mrs. Ober 14 June 1938. Culver City, Calif. (AO)

SCOTTIE STARTING EAST TONIGHT. SHE WILL COME TO YOU TOMORROW IF CONVENIENT TO YOU DONT MEET HER STOP WILL CALL YOU TONIGHT AT ELEVEN OCLOCK YOUR TIME SCOTT FITZGERALD.

In June 1938 Fitzgerald moved out to Malibu Beach. By September he was back at the Garden of Allah in Hollywood. Finally he took a house at SS21 Amestoy Avenue in Encino.

760. To Ober

Wire to Ober 26 June 1938. Malibu Beach, Calif.

SCOTTIE LIED TO YOU STOP BALTIMORE WAS NOT MENTIONED THAT NIGHT* STOP I AM GOING TO CALL THE EUROPEAN TRIP OFF AND PUT HER TO WORK STOP SHE IS NOT AT ANY FINNEYS IN BALTIMORE STOP SHE HAS COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED
SCOTT FITZGERALD.

Notes:

* Scottie had gone to Baltimore without Fitzgerald's permission.

761. To Ober

Wire to Ober 28 June 1938. Malibu Beach, Calif. (AO)

USE YOUR OWN JUDGEMENT ABOUT SCOTTIE STOP MORALLY THIS WAS A FLAGRANT DISOBEDIENCE BUT I SUPPOSE YOU MIGHT AS WELL GO TO EUROPE AS A MATTER OF CONVENIENCE STOP SORRY ABOUT SUNDAY STOP HAVE CALMED DOWN
SCOTT.

762. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 28 June 1938. (AO)

THANKS FOR TELEGRAM YOUR REACTION PERFECTLY UNDERSTANDABLE THINK YOUR DECISION ABOUT EUROPE VERY WISE SHALL SEE YOU IN HOLLYWOOD WITHIN FEW WEEKS MY REGARDS
Harold Ober

763. From Sheilah Graham To Harold Ober

Wire to Ober 28 June 1938. Santa Monica, Calif.

SCOTT MUCH BETTER PHYSICALLY AND SPIRITUALLY* HOPE EVERYTHING OK NOW SHEILAH.

Notes:

* Fitzgerald had fallen off the wagon.

764. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 2pp. n.d., n.p.—received 28 June 1938. Malibu Beach, Calif. (AO)

Dear Harold:

After this week checks will be larger. Added $100 to one of these to help cover Scottie. It was an expensive episode on her part + what I felt 1st anger, then pity, then annoyance has solidified into a sort of disgust. I dont want ever to get so many threads of “caring” into my hands as I did once. If she is going to be an idler I want no part of her.—I dont even want to help her to grow up into the sort of woman I loathe. If she doesn't get 90% to 100% in these two easy exams they wont take her—all that makes it possible to hope is her French that cost so many thousands. Nothing she is and does now is her own or anything she deserves credit for. To hell with pretty faces if there's nothing underneath. That is not to say to hell with Scottie but I must stop worrying about her in the role of “my pride and joy” if she just isn't.

All is confused + trying in work at present but it may clear up this week
Ever Scott

765. To Anne Ober

Wire to Anne Ober 18 July 1938. Los Angeles.

SCOTTY GOT INTO VASSAR LOVE SCOTT.

766. To Ober

ALS, 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 27 July 1938. Los Angeles. (AO)

Dear Harold

When do you come?

Will you bring or send copy of that letter of mine to Scotty?

Thanks for telegram
Scott

767. To Anne Ober

TLS, 1 p. MGM letterhead.

Aug. 25th 1938

Dear Ann:

Thanks for forwarding the cards.

It was great to see Harold out here, especially sprawled in the sun at his ease quite domestically on my little beach and playing ping pong with great if sometimes erratic intensity. (The fact that he beat me doesn't count.)

He said you had some way of finding what would be a suitable budget for Scottie, to include her shoes, personal essentials and all pleasure expenses—except for times when I will see her such as Xmas vacation. If there were four kinds of living at Vassar I should prefer for her to remain during Freshman year in what might be called “the lower middle class”—not quite the poorest because that is a nuisance and having to be careful of money in small ways actually consumes a great deal of time. But on the contrary, her circus last spring was very costly and she deserves little more than sack cloth at the present. To let her buy a couple of new evening gowns would be simply begging her to fly out and use them. For the present I want the center of her life to be at Vassar.

Cooperatively I am stopping my accounts at Franklin Simon & Company, Best & Company and Lord & Taylor, etc. Do you know any others that she uses?

Always yours, with affection—Scott

Mrs. Harold Ober Dromore Road Scarsdale New York

768. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. MGM letterhead. (AO)

Aug. 29th

1938 Dear Harold:

Have you a copy of the fourth story I sold to RED BOOK of the Phillippe Series?* I somehow don't think you have. At least not of the last version. In that case would it be possible for me to have their copy copied. You can tell them that I am planning a few more of the series to stand as complete units or give any excuse you want. You might ask them if they ever plan to use that or would use it if they had a couple of others at hand.

Perhaps [his] Balmers old grudge against me has withered away in these years [and] Also in regard to [that] stories I have a plan by which I can finish the COLLIER story to their satisfaction, and think I will do it this month without fail.

Ever yours—Scott

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th St New York City New York

PS. I am almost sure that if you have a copy it is an early version of the story and not the final corrected one I sent the RED BOOK. However, you might send me what you have and I can tell.

Notes:

* “Gods of Darkness,” one of the sequence of medieval stories.

769. To Fitzgerald

TL(cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, California

Dear Scott:

I haven't a copy of the fourth Phillippe story, but I'll send you one when I get one from Red Book. I have talked to Balmer about future stories and will let you know what he decides.

I have a letter from the New Yorker, asking if there is any chance of getting some verses or perhaps a short prose piece from you. They say it is more than a year since they have had anything from you and they would like to have you in the magazine again. I think it might be a good idea to have something of yours appearing in The New Yorker while you're in Hollywood.

I'm glad you see a way to fix the Collier's story. How's everything going with THE WOMEN?

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

September 2, 1938

In the letter of 4 September 1938, to which Fitzgerald refers, Mrs. Ober advised him:

“I have tried to find out about allowances for Scottie and enclose a card from a friend whose daughter graduated this year. She has another daughter in college. They are people who are quite well off financially. I found that most of the girls here with whom I discussed budgets were getting along on las little as possible' but two of them told me they knew girls who were getting between $25 and $30 a month allowance and they seemed to think that was heaps. That allowance includes books, I believe, which they tell me amount to at least $50 a year.

“About Scottie's clothes. I think she should have an inexpensive fur coat, costing between $95 and $125, otherwise I don't think her clothes will amount to very much.

“She will probably want some furnishings for her room, but I imagine that expense will be shared by her roommates...

“It is going to be great fun for me, having Scottie so near. It only takes an hour and a half to drive up by the parkways which makes it an easy as well as short drive and I am going to try to keep in close enough touch with her to know what is happening. I know you think Harold and I spoil her, but so far Scottie trusts me and I think I have at least part of her confidence. It is an important relationship to me and while she may not realize it, I think it is to Scottie too. Don't for a minute think that I hesitate to blow your child up, for sometimes I think it is All I do. . . .

“PLEASE let me know what I can do and WHEN to expect my child. DON'T Worry until you have to!

“Forgive the advice”

770. To Ober

TLS, 2pp. MGM letterhead.

Sept. 7th 1938

Dear Anne and Harold:

Just got your letter and wanted to thank you for the information about Vassar expenses. Today has been a nightmare of changed plans and I don't know even now how the newest one is going to work out. To make a long story short it looks as if Zelda is going to New York to meet Scottie at the boat* and that Scottie is then going to fly out here for two days. This plan may seem to you unwise and extravagant but remember that whatever I do with Scottie or her mother it costs about one-third less in money and infinitely less in work-morale than for me to break off here and go East.**

Meet the boat or not as you like but don't ruin your Saturday doing it as, unless you hear otherwise from me by telegram, her mother and sister will be there and if they are not, the Gerald Murphys, who are bringing her home*** can put her on the train for Scarsdale.

Scottie returns from Hollyood on the 19th or 20th. Could a dentist's appointment be made for her on the 21st?

I still have the cottage [at] on the [lake] sea but now at a week-end price and I don't use it often. Of course everything there will be quite proper, and needless to say I shall try to be calm and reasonable with Scottie as I was nervous and irascible last June on the long distance telephone.

If you go to the boat—and remember I am not in favor of you spoiling your peaceful Saturday!—take her the letter I sent you airmail, and tell her**** the instructions therein are still good. If you don't go to the boat, be sure and give it to her as soon as she arrives. The airplane tickets are waiting for her in Baltimore.

I have stopped charge accounts at Bests, Lord & Taylor and Franklin Simon. Please give her absolute instructions about using your account.

Ever yours with gratitude and affection—Scott

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York City New York

P. S. There are real reasons for all of these plan changes that were utterly out of my control, so don't think that I have lost my mind.

Sheets + pillow cases are provided by Vassar. She should have [slip] soft bedroom slippers instead of mules.

She can either dig out blankets towels + bathmat [+ pictures] in Baltimore with Mrs Owens (in which case Mrs Owens should get a wire to be ready) or buy new. Tell her not to let Mrs Owens down though if she asks her help.*****

Notes:

* In the right margin Fitzgerald added in pencil: “the 'Paris', Sat 10th”.

** Along the left margin Fitzgerald added in pencil: “Dont advance Scottie any [more than] money for clothes—you are really the softies. I am becoming hard as nails.”

*** Fitzgerald drew a line here and added in pencil: “from Europe”.

**** Fitzgerald drew a line here and added in pencil: “that”.

***** The note after the postscript was added in pencil.

771. To Anne Ober

Wire to Anne Ober 9 September 1938. Malibu Beach, Calif.

IF YOU GO TO BOAT VERY IMPORTANT YOU DO NOT GIVE SCOTTIE LETTER THERE BUT WAIT TILL SCARSDALE SORRY TO BOTHER YOU. AFFECTIONATELY SCOTT.

772. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. MGM letterhead. (AO)

Sept. 28th 1938

Dear Harold:

Scottie and I had some pretty hot talk while she was out here: I wasn't at all pleased with her attitude on anything. But I rather think she went into college in a sober frame of mind and should produce some results.

I quote the following from a letter of Zelda's:

“We called on the Obers and their house seemed straight out of Longfellow or some fanciful or homely poet dreamily spun into the fragrance of orchards and tumbling down the rocky hill-side. I never saw a more enchanting child than their lanky, red-headed boy. How can we at least let them know our gratitude?”

Checks will begin to get bigger again next week. (This is not an answer to Zelda's question!)*

If Ann goes up there she might see if Scottie has rubbers and a good study lamp. I would appreciate any information, as our relations are rather cool and formal at present. I did a little too much for her and there is always a price for that luxury.

Ever yours—Scott

Mr. Harold Ober 40 E. 49th Street New York City

Notes:

* Fitzgerald added the parenthetical material in pencil.

773. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. MGM letterhead. (AO)

Oct. 12th 1938

Dear Harold:

Sending this to the Post for Sheilah.* It has just occurred to me that it might be a crack radio sketch and bring more money that way. If you know of any way to sell it, absolutely protecting the idea, which would be a cinch to steal, do something about it. But please act quickly. It certainly wouldn't do to send it to any office but if you know some trustworthy person who would be in a position to use it immediately you might let them look at it in your office. Otherwise, please send it on to the Post with the covering letter.

With best wishes always—Scott

Mr. Harold Ober 40 E. 49th Street New York City New York

P.S. Be sure and don't mention it to anyone. The idea is everything and you know how those things get about.

Notes:

* Unidentified story or article about radio by Sheilah Graham.

774. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, California

Dear Scott:

I received the sketch that Sheilah did and gave it at once to The Post. I think they may like it as they are not too fond of radio and may not mind making good-natured fun of it.

I don't think there will be any possibility of selling it as a radio sketch, because it is very critical of the radio. In any event, I wouldn't want to take the responsibility of showing it to any of the radio outfits for, as you say, if they did like the idea, they might lift it. Tell Sheilah I think it is a very clever and amusing sketch.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

October 20, 1938

775. Account Statement by Ober

Typed account, 1 p. Ober agency letterhead. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald In account with Harold Ober

Balance due Harold Ober—account dated July 26th, 1938			3525.02
Received from F. Scott Fitzgerald on July 27, August 10 & 19 for weeks ending July 27, August 3, 10, & 17		1600.00
10% Commission on 4 weeks salary	500.00
For Scribners'	200.00	700.00	900.00
			2625.02
Received on August 22, & 31 and September 9, 10, 28, 30 for weeks ending August 24, 31, September 7, 14, 21, 28 and October 5		2100.00
10% Commission on 7 weeks salary		875.00	1225.00
			1400.02
Received on October 13 and 17 for weeks ending October 12 and 19		800.00
10% Commission on 2 weeks salary	250.00
For Scribners'	100.00	350.00	450.00
Received from Random House	5.02		950.02
At Your Age
Royalty to June 30, 1938
10% Commission	.50	4.52
Received from Federal Theatre	25.00
Family in the Wind
One radio use on July 24, 1938
10% Commission	2.50	22.50	27.02
Balance October 20th, 1938			923.00

I trust you will find the above accounting correct.
HAROLD OBER
October 20, 1938
Statement of Scottie's expenses attached.

775a. Account Statement by Ober

Typed account, 1 p. Ober agency letterhead. (PU)

Scottie Fitzgerald Expenses paid by Harold Ober

Due Harold Ober—July 26th, 1938			218.70
Paid:—
Bon Ton Valet—to 7/29/38		7.00
New York Telephone Co.—
Scarsdale—to 8/4/38		1.44
Anne Reid Ober:-		30.50
Sept. 10—Name tapes	1.00
Cash to Scottie for tips on arrival	2.50
Sept. 12—Cash for trip to Baltimore	20.00
Sept. 15—Buttons for blue dress	.50
Laundry	1.50
Shoes heeled & soled	3.00
Trunk repaired	2.00
	30.50		38.94
Due Harold Ober			257.64

776. From Ober To Scottie

TL (cc), 1 p.

Miss Scottie Fitzgerald Vassar College Jocelyn Hall Poughkeepsie, New York

Dear Scottie:

Your father has asked me to send you this copy of Red Book, containing his story IN THE DARKEST HOUR. He says it is the same period you are covering in history. I hope we are going to see you soon.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

October 28, 1938

777. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. Garden of Allah 8152 Sunset Blvd. Hollywood, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I have the following note from the New Yorker:

“I'm afraid this one won't do. There have been so many of this kind of broadcast that we are rather afraid of the formula itself. Thank you a lot. Do you think you could get Fitzgerald himself to do something for us?”

I'll see if I can't interest some other magazine in Sheilah's piece.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

November 7, 1938

778. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 2pp. n.d., n.p.—received 9 November 1938. Los Angeles. (AO)

Dear Harold:

Back at work on a new job that may be something really good— Mme. Curie for Gretta Garbo. It was quite a plum and I'm delighed after the thankless months spent on fixing up leprous stories. Knopff said I could do my original if I wanted but he strongly advised this.

Im sorry my concern about Scottie overcast that day at your house—I think Mr Haas* thought it was all about a football game, which shames me for having shown in public my dismay about the child. There is nothing much to do except let it work itself out— but I must beg you again not to give her money. I know how you feel about it—that I am cruel and unjust but remember you've gotten all your ideas on the subject from Scottie. I am under the greatest obligation to you but, if I may say so, I think the headmistress and teachers at Walkers, the Dean + professors at Vassar and I, who have been in constant communication with them and have concerned myself deeply with the child since she was seven—that we are in a better position to evaluate her character than you. I have to deal in results—points of stability and honor—you touch Scottie only on the superficial points of charm. So I ask you to let me have a fair chance by not giving her cash or credit—which she uses, specificelly in the case of the evening dress—to come out into a frank defiance of me.

I do not want to bring her out here—I have written her a last letter asking for very simple concessions. We will see what we will see. So long as she lies it is all very difficult and tortuous from any point of view.

Ever Yours Scott

Notes:

* On 21 October Fitzgerald was in Asheville visiting Zelda, and then went to New York. Donald Haas of Random House was Ober's neighbor in Scarsdale.

779. To Ober

TLS, 2pp. MGM letterhead. (AO)

November 15,1938.

Dear Harold:—

Your letter was reassuring. I think that what's made me so sensitive is a hark-back to the days when Zelda was slowly wrecking herself in the Russian Ballet, growing more confused and hysterical day by day, and I couldn't get a single soul in Paris to help me or see it my way or slow her up until it was too late. I do not think there's anything the matter with Scottie at this time. Nevertheless, I think that any child of her heredity who throws herself into what amounts to dissipation and at the same time tries to carry on a college course might very well suffer a crackup which would influence her entire life. By dissipation I do not mean vice. I simply mean beer and chain-smoking and sitting up at all hours of the night, a sudden lack of [almost no] exercise except two compulsory hours of hockey a week, and the awful pressure on her time and nervous system of these elaborate flirtations. All this amounts to a strain and a waste, which is entirely what dissipation means.

My absolute order to her not to stay in New York Thanksgiving —at the time of the Mary Earle and Dorothy Burns' parties but to go to Baltimore immediately, is based on a very real fact. Those debutante parties in New York are the rendezvous of a group of idlers, the less serious type of college boys, young customer's men from Wall Street, parasites, hangers-on, fortune-hunters, the very riff-raff of New York who will take a child like Scottie who may have a real future, and exploit her and squeeze her out until she is a limp unattractive rag. In one more year she can cope with them. In two more years it will, I hope, be behind her, but this year it's dazzling her. She will be infinitely better off here with me than mixed up at all with those people, so I made arrangements before I left New York to have a check made on whether she is or is not at any of those parties. If she is, I'm taking her out of Vassar. I'd rather have an angry little girl on my hands for a few months than a broken neurotic for the rest of my life. I've completely made up my mind on this matter—which leaves the whole question up to Scottie. I think she knows I mean business as I have cut down her allowance until I get a categorical answer as to whether she intends to respect my wishes or not.

That's all, I'm really not worried about it. I think she will. If she doesn't, then she's already traveled pretty far along the primrose path. Together with fatherly feelings, I have a certain vast impersonality about such things.

With best wishes always, Scott

P.S. Let Sheila's piece drop. The Orson Wells broadcast has killed it entirely.

780. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. MGM letterhead. (AO)

November 22,1938.

Dear Harold:

Is there enough in the bank in New York to square my debt with you? (All except the commissions, of course). If so, I would rather like to do it—if only as a matter of having a fait accompli behind me. Also, how much more will it take to redeem the insurance policy lien that Charley Scribner holds?

Thanks a lot for the magazine. I was somewhat disappointed. Edmund Wilson had led me to believe it was something extraordinary. One more thing in that line. A few months back, Life carried an article about modern housing with illustrations of modern and traditional houses at various prices. Could you find a copy of that and send it to Zelda? Her address is Highlands Hospital, Ashville, North Carolina.

Ever yours, Scott

781. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Ave. Encino Los Angeles, California

Dear Scott:

Thank you for your note of November twenty-second. I am enclosing an account which shows how we stand. You have, in the savings bank, $714.69. If it would make you happier to clear off the loan by taking the money out of the savings account, you can do it, but please don't do it on my account. I hate to have you decrease the amount you have in the savings bank. As a matter of fact, I would like to see you increase it!

You have paid off $750 on the lien that Charlie Scribner holds and there is $750 still due.

I am getting the copy of Life that you asked for and sending it to Zelda.

Scottie called up just before Thanksgiving and she seemed very happy. She said she was working hard. We hope to see her during the Christmas vacation.

Corey Ford* has just been in and he said he saw you for a moment and that you are looking very well.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

November 30, 1938

P.S. Your check for $200 just received. This is not included in the above figures.

Notes:

* Humorist and screen-writer.

782. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. MGM letterhead. (AO)

November 30,1938.

Dear Harold:

Bill Warren has been out here and has left in discouragement. He did the following story of his adventures, the names are changed but it is substantially his experiences. It is an awkward length and the ground may have been covered before, but it is very well written it seems to me and just perhaps you might know a place for it. Would you, as a favor to me, read this one piece?

His address is: 6 West Reed Street, Baltimore, Maryland. In case you have anything to say to him about it.

Best wishes, always Scott

P.S. Since the New York balance is low think I will pay you the rest of what I owe you at the rate of $ 150.00 a week for the weeks that still remain on my contract. This will just about finish us up on the debt. I'm going to let the Scribner balance go until after Washington's Birthday when I will know one way or another whether I remain at Metro or free-lance again, so all that I send you over $175.00 ($125.00 plus $50.00, should go in the New York bank. I will try to make it $200.00 a week but will begin with $125.00 which you will kindly deposit for me.)

What is the present status of “Tender Is the Night”? There is a young fellow named Francis Swann* who wants to dramatize it and I see no reason why he shouldn't if the two ladies have had no luck. Their fault was that they tried to cram the whole thing into a novel —something that was absolutely impossible. Maybe his approach is a good one. If the option has expired, give him some encouragement. I haven't his letter at the moment, but will forward it Monday.

Notes:

* A young writer Fitzgerald knew in Baltimore.

783. To Ober

ALS, 1 p. n.d.— received 14 December 1938. Los Angeles. (AO)

Dear Harold:

Scottie writes she will see you Friday. She is going to Montgomery—will you buy her a round trip ticket? I'm afraid to give her all this cash. It will cost about seventy for fare. The sixty that remains is her own present or money for clothes or what she wills. Maybe Anne can advise her how to spend it.

No news. Curie goes along but today I am a little sick + overworked.

She has (Scottie) enough expense money for berth, meals ect. ect. but if there's anything left over from the seventy she can have that too.

Ever Yours with Best Xmas Wishes Scott

Excuse writing—am in bed.

She knows you have this + will get in touch with you

*****

Would you get her a lower, Balt to Montgomery for the 23d—train leaving Baltimore between 5 and 6. [But please] Not the later train. But she should pay for this—I mean deduct it from the $60 for she already has expense money for [that] berths.*

Notes:

* Note written on envelope flap.

784. To Anne Ober

TLS, 1 p. MGM letterhead.

December 16, 1938

Dear Ann:

I divided up Scottie's time as follows: two or three nights at the beginning or end with you. Four or five nights with her mother in Montgomery, two nights on the train and ten nights on the dance floors of youth. I suppose she will be a broken reed when she gets back to Vassar but I'm not even thinking of asking her to tutor in spite of the probation. I've done my best. I wanted to keep her out of New York this autumn—now let nature take its course.

With affection always, Scott

785. To Anne Ober

Wire to Anne Ober 19 December 1938. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

DO LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANY SERIOUS CHANGE IN SCOT-TIES CONDITION YOU WERE VERY KIND TO TAKE HER HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL SCOTT.

786. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 21 December 1938. Los Angeles. (AO)

Dear Harold:

Thanks about Scottie. Did she seem at all sobered by the probation. I dont expect sackcloth but I hope to God she's come down a peg since Sept.

Happy Holidays to you all. It must be fine to be together
Scott

787. To Ober

Wire to Ober 26 December 1938. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

METRO NOT RENEWING TO MY GREAT PLEASURE BUT WILL FINISH CURIE THERES LOTS OF OTHER WORK OFFERED STOP HOWEVER PLEASE SAY NOTHING WHATEVER TO PERKINS OR TO SCOTTIE WHO WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND STOP AM WRITING
SCOTT.

788. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d.—received 29 December 1938. Los Angeles. (AO)

Dear Harold:

As I wrote you the contract wasn't renewed. Why I dont know —but not on account of the work. It seems sort of funny—to entrust me alone with their biggest picture, + continue me on it with a “your services will not be required”. Finally Eddie* said that when I finished it he hoped he'd have good contract for me. O.K. If Curie is a hit I'd go back for $2000 a week. Baby am I glad to get out! Ive hated the place ever since Monkeybitch rewrote 3 Comrades!

Glad Scottie was nice.

Shielah sends her best

Ever Scott

Notes:

* Edwin Knopf.

789. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald; Esq. 5521 Amestoy Encino Los Angeles, Calif.

Dear Scott:

I talked to Eddie Knopf for a moment on the phone today and I'm having lunch and a long talk with him on Wednesday. He says he hopes you will be working on GONE WITH THE WIND.* That is something you could do better than anyone I can think of.

If you can get an attractive and well paid job, do you think it might be well to take it and get some money in the bank before you go back to your real job of writing? I'm sure a good picture job can be found.

We are expecting Scottie Tuesday.

Happy New Year to you!

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

December 30, 1938

Notes:

* Fitzgerald worked for two weeks on this script.

The only story Fitzgerald published in 1938 was “Financing Finnegan.”

790. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I had a couple of talks with Eddie Knopf while he was in New York. He told me that the only reason that they were not renewing your contract was that they weren't paying anybody $1500 if they could help it. He said you had done fine work on THREE COMRADES and admitted that Metro had made a mistake in not doing the picture the way you wrote it. If you want to work in Hollywood, after the expiration of the Metro contract, I feel sure that you can do so. I have written Swanie about this and I presume you have talked to him.

I hope you can get back to your own writing but you may feel that it is wise to work in Hollywood a little longer and get some money put by so that you can write without worry. I think you have done wonderfully well to get so many of your debts cleared up and I hope that if you do take another Hollywood job, you will be able to put most of the money in the bank for yourself. I know that it doesn't pay any author to work in Hollywood, unless he can keep his expenses down to where they would be somewhere else and keep a large part of what he makes for the future.

Scottie went back to Vassar with a bad cold and was in the infirmary for a few days. Anne talked to her on the phone a few days ago and she seemed to be all right.

I am enclosing an account up to the end of the year.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

January 11, 1939

791. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 18 January 1939. Los Angeles. (AO)

Dear Harold:

Enclosed 2456.31

3 Commissions $375.

Debt 100. or whatever it is

Balance for bank 1981. which will make about $3000 there against my income tax.

Working with Selznick* is like being raised from the jungle to the court. I like Eddie but I hope I may never see the Metro factory again

Ever Yours Scott

Notes:

* David O. Selznick, producer of Gone with the Wind.

792. To Ober

ALS (pencil), 1 p. n.d., n.p.—received 1 February 1939. Los Angeles. (AO)

Dear Harold:

Herewith the last on the Metro + Selznick time—the latter ended on Tues the 24th. completing a 5 day instead of a six day week so $105.00 should square us. Does this fit in your books?

I hear nothing from you + worry that you may have grippe or something. My plans are uncertain here. I may go to work at Universal Tuesday and may not, depending on several factors which I will write in detail when I've decided. Am in touch with Swanie at all times—he has good hard sense.

Ever Yours Scott

793. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 2pp. (PU)

Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

Thank you for your note. I haven't written you lately because we understood from Scottie that you were going to be in New York this coming weekend. I was out of the office with a cold for a couple of days last week, but except for that, I have been in the best of health.

I'm glad you're planning to work in Hollywood a little longer as the weather is very cold here and there doesn't seem to be much point in coming back here just now.

I would like to see you cut down expenses just as much as you can and put away all the money you possibly can for the remaining time you are in Hollywood. This doesn't mean that I think you have been living extravagantly but there is always a period of readjustment after working in Hollywood and I would like to have you leave there with excessive security. I think you have done remarkably well to clear up so many obligations while you have been in Hollywood.

I am enclosing a memo about savings banks. If you'll be sure to let me know a week in advance of the time you leave Hollywood, I shall feel freer in writing to you. I always hate to send letters to Hollywood unless I know that the person I have addressed is to be there. There is no telling what may happen to it.

We talked to Scottie a day or two ago on the phone and she said that she is over her cold and that she is working very hard. Please remember me to Sheila.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

February 1, 1939

In February 1939 Fitzgerald traveled with Budd Schulberg to Dartmouth to work on the film Winter Carnival for Walter Wanger. Fitzgerald went on a drunk and ended up in a New York hospital. Schulberg's novel The Disenchanted (1950) is based on this trip.

794. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestory Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I'm glad to have your note and sorry that I had to leave for New Hampshire so that I couldn't see you off for Hollywood.

I sent the papers to the insurance company by air mail and they should have received them Friday night or Saturday morning.

I'm glad you're finishing up the Collier's story as I know you'll feel better with it off your mind. When that is done, you can start work on your picture idea with nothing to bother you. Let me know how you are and I'll be interested to know from time to time how you are getting along with the picture idea.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

February 27, 1939

795. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. (AO)

5521 Amestoy Encino, California

March 2, 1939

Mr. Harold Ober 40 E. 49th Street New York, New York

Dear Harold:

Here at last is my thumbs story, with, a [story] good ending. I think I was right about the Swanie's attitude on originals. He rather wavers both ways in believing in them, or not believing in them, and what he is really concerned with, is my attitude—whether I am writing with interest and competence in the field or only trying it as a lazy man's job to make quick money.

I hope you're not being at the office means you being ill again. For the present, let what I am doing be wrapt in profound secrecy —I may add that I have not quite decided between several plans myself. But all is serene here and I have not felt more like working.

Ever yours, Scott Fitzgerald

P. S. I think I owe you some fractional sum of money and I have lost the letter which says how much it is. Will you just carry it on your books for awhile and take it out on the next sum due me.

796. To Kenneth Littauer

TLS, 1 p. Never sent to Littauer. (AO)

5521 Amestoy Encino, California

March 2, 1939

Mr. Kenneth Littauer Collier's Weekly 250 Park Avenue New York, New York

Dear Kenneth:

Finishing this story * was a somewhat harder job than writing “Tender is the Night”, because

(a) When a conception goes wrong repair work is twice as hard as building a new story.

(b) because the 5,000 word length is terribly difficult for me. It seems to mean sacrifice of humor and description—or else if I give these little leeway it means forshortening of plot into melodrama in the end.

But I think this version answers your previous strictures. It moves neither to Paris nor to the West and it seems to have unity of feeling as well. I hope you like it.

While I am writing you let me ask if the following might be a way of getting around the length situation—which I know is going to haunt me. If my stories ran 8,000 or 9,000 words could you publish them as “two-parter[']s”. The length may seem to you a comparatively unimportant thing but from my angle it interferes with the sweep of the job and I believe it would take a dozen or so stories and a year's work before I would feel at home in the 5,000 word form.

Best wishes always Scott Fitzg

P. S. Have seen something of Budd Schulberg whom I liked immensely, and who spoke of you so pleasantly.

Notes:

* “Thumbs Up.”

797. To Ober

Wire to Ober 5 March 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

PLEASE HOLD STORY FOR REVISED VERSION LEAVING HERE TOMORROW STOP CERTAIN CHANGES MAY MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE STOP WORKING ON GOOD PICTURE* FOR FOUR WEEKS BEST WISHES
F SCOTT FITZGERALD.

Notes:

* Air Raid for Paramount. In March Fitzgerald also worked on an untitled movie for Madeleine Carroll and Fred MacMurray at Paramount.

798. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I am holding the copy of the thumbs story and waiting for the new version which you wired me you were sending.

Swanie tells me you are working again so there may be some delay in your sending on the revisions but I hope you can send them before long.

I'm glad you're feeling so much better. I have hardly been ill all winter. I was out of the office a couple of days with a cold but that was all.

Please give my best to Sheila and when you have time, tell me how you like the job you working on.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

March 10, 1939

While never fully recovering, Zelda had several periods of stability, and in April 1939 she and Fitzgerald took a trip to Cuba. Fitzgerald went on another drunk, and they finally ended up in New York City. Zelda had Fitzgerald put in Doctor's Hospital and returned to Highland Hospital on her own.

799. To Ober

Wire to Ober 21 April 1939. Miami, Fla. (AO)

PLEASE WIRE ME TWO HUNDRED IF POSSIBLE TO ATLANTA AIRPORT IMMEDIATELY WILL BE IN NEWYORK TOMORROW WILL CALL
SCOTT FITZGERALD.

800. To Scottie

TL (cc), 1 p.

Miss Frances S. Fitzgerald Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York

Dear Scottie:

I have two letters from Mademoiselle.* In the letter to me, Mr. Waller wants to know if you will send your answer by special delivery.

Your father came in Thursday morning and left in the afternoon by plane. He seemed very cheerful. I hope you'll come down to see us soon.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

May 1, 1939

Notes:

* Scottie had been asked to write an article by Mademoiselle. “A Short Retort,” July 1939.

801. To Zelda

TL (cc), 1 p.

Mrs. F. Scott Fitzgerald Highland Hospital Ashville, N. C.

Dear Zelda:

Scott came to see me last Thursday just before he took the plane back to California. He seemed very cheerful and full of plans about getting to work on his novel.

It was very nice to see you in New York and I hope the next time you are in Scarsdale, you will be able to stay longer. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you here.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

May 4, 1939

802. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, California

Dear Scott:

I am enclosing a letter from your friend, the taxi-cab driver. * He brought it to the house and I told him that I would forward it to you. I didn't tell him where you were.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

May 4, 1939

Notes:

* Fitzgerald had gotten into a fight with a cab driver who took him to Ober's home.

803. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. (AO)

May 13 1939

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York, New York

Dear Harold:—

At long last, here's a revision of the “Tib” story which I think I won't be ashamed to let Mr. Littaouer see. For God's sake, if you don't agree, send it back to me—or rather, don't show it. It's been a year and a half since I have written the story and certainly if this seems to you a secondary performance, I don't want to publish it.

Handled the bill you sent me from the Algonquin direct. If there are any further bills, please pay them unless there is any doubt in your mind about them, in which case communicate with me. They have been awfully nice and in this regard, after the Algonquin business is finished, I wish you would transfer the remains of my account in the New York bank to the Bank of America, Culver City and send me some notification.

I got that curious letter that you forwarded from the eye-slugger. I have no intention of doing anything about it. If he'll send me his watch, I'll send him my eye. That is positively my last word on the subject. It was a sucker blow and I am just ashamed of myself for having taken it.

With best regards to Ann and best remembrances to the children.

Ever yours, Scott

5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

804. To Fitzgerald

TLS, 1 p. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

It seems to me that you have done a very good job in your last version of the Thumbs story. I have given it to Littauer and I'll let you know his decision just as soon as I get it.

I hope everything is going well with you. Drop me a line when you have time and tell me what you are doing.

Sincerely, Harold

May 22, 1939

805. To Ober

TLS, 2pp. (AO)

May 29 1939

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York City

Dear Harold:—

This letter is going to be full of information, some of which I may have let drop in New York or which you may have guessed. In the first place, as I suspected, I have been ill with a touch of the old malady from [the]* about the time I came off “Gone With the Wind”, [and] I knew I should not have taken on those last two pictures both of which were terrors and far beyond my strength at the time.** [A] The sudden outburst of drink was a result of an attempt to keep up my strength for an effort of which I was not capable. After consultations here I have been condemned, in no uncertain terms, to a period at home some of which has to be spent in bed. This doesn't mean that I am not working—I am allowed three to four hours a day for that, but I have told Swanie to sign me off any available list. (This Hitchcock from England seems to have had me first on the list to do “Rebecca”) But Swanie evidently realized that I really wasn't up to anything (for observed on [the] a list by Sheilah who happened to see it in Hitchcock's office at Selznick's was, “Unavailable —gone to Cuba.”)

Well, “Unavailable—gone to Cuba” is as good as anything else. So to friends in the East I would rather not have it known that I was ill. Any story that I have gone away into the California mountains to write a novel will cover the situation because if I should want to go back to actual picture making next Fall, I would not want anyone to be able to say, “Well—that Fitzgerald, I understand he's [has] been sick and we don't want anyone that's liable to break down on this picture.” In other words, it would do me a damage here which it would not do in the East, as this is a hot bed of gossip. I even prefer Swanie to think that I am a bluffing hypochondriac than to know the whole truth. I think I told him that I had a little mild heart trouble. I am cut off here in Encino from anything and anybody who might disturb me, under the charge of an excellent doctor. There's no taint of alcoholism to confuse the issue and my only visitor is Shielah who comes out two or three times a week. We are friends again, even intimates—though we stick to our old resolution not to go back to the same basis as before.

Now, I wish you could airmail me [some] The following information and please do not spare me in this, because my morale is high and I want to know the exact situation [of] where I stand with the magazines—notably the Post. As in our previous discussions I told you that that five thousand word length is likely to be a terror for me and while I realize that Collier's has the right to see some stories still I cannot somehow see it as a permanent relation. I have planned my work in the following order:

First. I have blocked out my novel*** completely with a rough sketch of every episode and event and character so that under proper circumstances I could begin writing it tomorrow. It is a short novel about fifty thousand words long and should take me three to four months.

However, for reasons of income tax I feel I should be [rather] more secure before I launch into such a venture—but [and] it will divide easily into five thousand word lengths and Collier's might take a chance on it where the Post would not. They might at least be promised a first look at it when it's finished—possibly some time late in the Fall. Secondly. I have hesitated between the idea of those picture originals which I discussed with you and the idea of doing some short stories and have decided on the second because since I haven't done a short story for over two years I feel rather full of material and rather enthusiastic about doing a few. What I want to know most [of all] is how much the Post would pay me. I want to know frankly from their contact man what [his] is the opinion of the new editor [is] of of my work and as specifically as possible the sum they would [want to] offer. After this long lapse—(it has now been four years since I was their prize boy)—I do not expect $4000., naturally, but if he suggested any such sum as $2000., it would lead me to believe that he did not especially like my work, or else felt that I had fallen off and gone Hollywood or wants to make a clean sweep of Lorimer's old authors. Whatever you cannot find out specifically, I wish you would write me the feel of.

Also [Now,] in regard to other magazines. The Pictorial Review has not published those two Gwen stories. They weren't good stories—were written at a bad time, and I don't blame them. Perhaps later I can either revise those stories or send them another to go with them which will make it an interesting series. That, however, is out for the present as I feel that everything I wrote in '35 was all covered with a dust of gloom and illness. Likewise with Balmer whom I suppose has never forgiven me for the dilatory arrival of the Red Book stories. [Now] What does that leave as possible high-priced markets in New York? As I say, I feel I have from two to four short stories in me which will be in my own manner. And now let me [say again] repeat that if you could airmail me this information or as much of it as you can collect, it would be of inestimable value at this moment.

I warned you this would be a long letter. With warmest regards to you and Ann and the children.

Ever, Scott Fitzg

5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

Notes:

* Fitzgerald made pencil corrections and additions to this letter.

** Winter Carnival and Air Raid.

*** The Last Tycoon.

806. To Fitzgerald

TLS, 2pp. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

Thank you for your letter of May twenty-ninth. Collier's likes the new ending to the Civil War story* and they will be paying me One Thousand Dollars which is the amount still due on this story. Littauer says he is very keen to get more stories by you and he indicated that he might increase the Twenty-Five Hundred Dollar price. I'll have a talk with one of the editors of The Post on Tuesday and I'll write you as soon as I have done so. I don't think I'll get anything definite from them until I have a story of yours to show them and I'd rather wait to talk about price when I show them the story.

I'm delighted to hear that you are going to do some more stories as I think it is time that your name should be appearing again, and I don't think there is any reason for your coming down to Two Thousand Dollars and I din(t think any magazine will ask you to.

I'm glad to know that you have the novel mapped out and I am sure I can get a fine price for it when the time comes.

I'll find out about those two Gwen stories. Pictorial Review suspended publication last year and most of their stories are being taken over by Good Housekeeping or Cosmopolitan. Besides The Post and Collier's, there are a number of other magazines that would pay well for your stories,—American, Cosmopolitan, Ladies Home Journal, Woman's Home Companion and some of the other women's magazines.

Sincerely, Harold

June 2, 1939

Notes:

* “Thumbs Up,” published as “End of Hate,” Collier's, 22 June 1940.

807. To Scottie

TL (cc), 1 p.

Miss Frances Fitzgerald, Josselyn Hall. Vassar College. Poughkeepsie, New York

Dear Scottie:

Here is the thirty dollars I promised to send you.

I called up the editor of Mademoiselle and she said that the voucher has been put through, but that it may be some time before the check is drawn. I imagine you will surely get it within a week or two.

I'm glad we're going to see you on Thursday.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

June 5, 1939

808. To Ober

Wire to Ober 8 June 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

YOU DID NOT MENTION BALANCE IN BOWERY BANK IF ANY AND WHETHER YOU HAD IT TRANSFERRED REGARDS ALWAYS SCOTT.

809. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 9 June 1939. (AO)

MAILING CHECK FOR 897.88. WILL TRANSFER OTHER MONDAY Harold Ober

810. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I am enclosing a check for Two Hundred and Twenty-five Dollars and twenty-one cents which is the amount left in your account at The Bowery Savings Bank. I am also enclosing your Pass Book. The account is entirely closed up now.

Your telegram sounded as if you had asked me previously to transfer this amount. If you wrote me asking me to do this, I cannot find the letter. I am sending the check direct to you as I am not sure what bank you are now using.

Scottie came down from Vassar on Friday, looking very well and very pretty. I don't know whether she's told you, but she got an A. in Philosophy and she thinks she has a B average in all her other courses which I think is pretty good!

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

June 12, 1939

811. To Ober

Wire to Ober 20 June 1939. Encino, Calif. (AO)

14 THOUSAND WORD STORY LEAVES HERE AIR MAIL THURSDAY. COULD YOU ADVANCE 500 BY WIRE TO BANK OF AMERICA CULVERCITY ANSWER SO ONLY I CAN UNDERSTAND. GETTING UP IN TWO WEEKS
SCOTT FITZGERALD.

812. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 20 June 1939. (AO)

GLAD STORY IS COMING PLANNED COMING HOLLYWOOD BUT POSTPONING BECAUSE HAVE JUST PAID TAXES AND INSURANCE AND FUNDS ARE LOW. SCOTTIE LEFT FOR ASHEVILLE
Harold Ober

MGM allowed Fitzgerald's contract to expire at the end of 1938, after eighteen months and some $90,000. In his 1 February 1939 letter to Fitzgerald, Ober indicated his anxiety about starting a new debt cycle: “/ would like to see you cut down expenses just as much as you can and put away all the money you possibly can for the remaining time you are in Hollywood.” Early in 1939 Fitzgerald had three short movie assignments—Gone with the Wind, Winter Carnival, and Air Raid. In March Fitzgerald revised ''Thumbs Up” (“The End of Hate”), for which Collier's had already made a down payment. On 20 June Fitzgerald wired Ober for $500 against his next story—“The Women in the House” or “Temperature,” which was never sold. Ober sent the money and composed a letter—which he did not mail —clearly warning that no more advances against unsold stories would be forthcoming. It is unlikely that the warning would have deterred Fitzgerald; however, the fact that he was unprepared for Ober's refusal of his next request accounts for the force of his reaction. Fitzgerald quite simply did not expect to be turned down by Ober after twenty years of advances and after he had paid his debts. In trying to spare Fitzgerald the hurt of the warning letter, Ober set him up for a greater hurt. Perhaps Ober understood that, warning or no warning, Fitzgerald would ask for advances and that an estrangement was inevitable.

813. To Fitzgerald

TL, 2 pp. In the top margin a note in Ober's hand reads: “never sent”. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, California

Dear Scott:*

I was short of money when your telegram came because I had just paid up all my taxes and paid some money on a mortgage and some money that I owed on my insurance. I am still short, but I managed to wire to the Culver City Bank the Five Hundred Dollars you needed. I think, however, it would be a great mistake for us to get back into the position we were in. I think it is bad for you and difficult for me. The margin of profit in the agency business is very narrow. The expenses are many and high and I reckon the net profit is only about three per cent. I hope, therefore, we can keep things on a “Pay as we go” basis.

I think you can do that if you will follow the old adage about “Watching the pennies and letting the dollars take care of themselves.” I notice that both Scottie and you would always rather send a telegram or make an expensive telephone call than send a letter for three cents. You give tips four and five times as large as you need to. On the other hand, you are very economical about some of the larger expenses. I am sure that if you could look back over the years with some kind of a celestial bookkeeper to note down your expenses, you would find that a large part of the money you have earned has gone for things that brought you no return.

You will probably say that I have no business to read you this kind of a lecture, but I hope you will understand that I am doing it only because I am very fond of you and of Scottie.

Speaking of Scottie. I think it would be a great deal better for her if she knew at all times exactly what your financial condition is. I think it is your fault rather than hers that she acts as if she were the daughter of a millionaire. She just doesn't think about the cost of anything. I approve entirely of your giving her the best education you can give her, but I think she ought to know that you're not very well and she ought to learn to be economical.

In any case, I think I ought to let you know that I cannot start loaning you money which means my borrowing money which is expensive and which is a thing I do not like to do.

Now for pleasanter things! I am glad you're sending me a story and I am very eager to read it.

Scottie was with us for a few days and we all liked her better than we have ever liked her before which is saying a good deal! She looked very well and very pretty and she was more thoughtful of others and more sensible than she has ever been. She finished up with a B average which is an extremely good mark at Vassar. She got an A in a difficult Philosophy course and I think you should be proud of what she has done.

She has gone to Ashville to have her appendicitis operation and we shall keep in touch with her. We hope she can come back and see us either before or after she goes to California. She says you want her to go out for a while. I think she'd rather go to California right after the operation and then come back and make us a visit , but anytime this summer will be all right for us. I think it would do her good to stay in the country with us and get in some tennis and lead a fairly quiet life.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

June 21, 1939

814. To Ober

Wire to Ober 28 June 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

DO YOU LIKE STORY? SCOTT.

815. To Fitzgerald

Harold Ober Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 29 June 1939. (AO)

STORY JUST RECEIVED AND READ. MUCH TOO LONG FOR SUBJECT. ADVISE CUTTING TO SIX THOUSAND WORDS WILL OFFER AS IS IF YOU INSIST BUT THINK VERY UNWISE. WRITING.

816. To Fitzgerald

TLS, l p. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I'm returning THE WOMEN IN THE HOUSE by airmail so that you can cut it as much as possible. As I tried to tell you over the telephone last night, this is in my opinion, a story that would be very difficult to divide into two parts. It is a light, amusing story and hasn't enough suspense. It is also too long for any magazine that I know of to use as a short story and it is not long enough for a novelette.

I know from experience that it is the length of story that the Post finds it very difficult to use. And since it is some time since you have shown the Post a story, I think it is important to show them a story that there is a chance of their buying.

I hope you will cut it just as much as you can. It is a light, farcical story and such stories do not stand a lot of words. I think the closet scene and a lot about the nurses could be cut. Also the part of the story where Monsen is intoxicated. The first part is really good, but after that it seemed to me to get rather exaggerated.

Sincerely,
Harold

June 30, 1939

817. To Anne Ober from Zelda Fitzgeraldr

Wire to Anne Ober 1 July 1939. Mongomery.

DO YOU KNOW SCOTTYS ADDRESS WOULD DEEPLY APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION WOULD YOU ANSWER COLLECT TO 322 SAYRE STREET MONTGOMERY ALABAMA KINDEST REGARDS
ZELDA FITZGERALD.

818. To Fitzgerald

Draft of wire written on verso of Zelda Fitzgerald's 1 July wire.

SCOTTIE WIRED FROM BOSTON YESTERDAY BUT GAVE NO ADDRESS SUGGEST WRITE HER CARE HARVARD COLLEGE SUMMER SCHOOL CAMBRIDGE SORRY NOT TO BE MORE HELPFUL REGARDS
ANNE OBER

819. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. (AO)

July 3, 1939

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York City

Dear Harold:

I made a first cut from the original 14,500 words (58 pages) that I sent you, to 10,850 words and now at the last moment I have made an additional cut to 9,350 words which is the last that can be pried out of the story.(by this old hand)*

I don't see how the incident of Emmet getting the brandy bottle can possibly be eliminated, and I know it's a difficult length, but unfortunately that's the way the story was.

Ever yours Scott Fitzg—

5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

Notes:

* Added in ink by Fitzgerald.

On or about 3 July Fitzgerald asked for another advance. His request and Ober's reply are lost. But on this day he wired Maxwell Perkins:

HAVE BEEN WRITING IN BED WITH TUBERCULOSIS UNDER DOCTORS NURSES CARE SIS ARRIVING WEST. OBER HAS DECIDED NOT TO BACK ME THOUGH I PAID BACK EVERY PENNY AND EIGHT THOUSAND COMMISSION. AM GOING TO WORK THURSDAY IN STUDIO AT FIFTEEN HUNDRED CAN YOU LEND ME SIX HUNDRED FOR ONE WEEK BY WIRE TO BANK AMERICAN CULVERCITY. SCOTTIE HOSPITAL WITH APPENDIX AND AM ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT FUNDS. PLEASE DO NOT ASK OBERS COOPERATION (Scribners Archives, PU).

820. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I got a telegram this morning asking me to hold the story a day and just now the cut version of the story has come in. I understand from the telegram that you want me to hold it another day so I am doing so. In the meantime, I'll look this version over.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

July 6, 1939

821. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. (AO)

July 7, 1939

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York City

Dear Harold:—

This is about right, I think. I took one more whack at it. My God, what a waste of energies. What I cut out is long enough for another short story, only it might not fit together. Littauer gave me to understand that they had nothing at all against the two-parter. I know there was no trouble with the Red Book with the “Rich Boy” or the Post with the “Popular Girl”.

However, I must admit that there was a lot of waste material in this one. One's pencil gets garrulous after that snail's pace movie writing.

Best wishes, Scott

5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

822. To Ober

Wire to Ober 8 July 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

NEW AND SHORTER VERSION MAILED FRIDAY SCOTT.

823. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. (AO)

July 8 1939

Mr. Harold Ober 40 E. 49th St. New York City

Dear Harold:—

Will you kindly make these changes in the final (3rd) version of the story:

Page 13—Line 17 should read: “I He on my right side——

Page 16—Line7 should read: “With the exception of Hedy LaMarr she made the swiftest——

Page 21—Line 1 should read:—in anticipation of preparing

“ — “ 2 “ “ and eating him.

Page 31—Line 11 should read: and down drains, and inside books——”

Page 31—Line 15 should read: “Monsen may have been trying to get at the stuff.

(The italics, of course, are just for your aid)*

Sincerely, Scott

P.S. Thought Scottie's article in Mademoiselle is in very bad taste. She said something about writing for Harper's Bazaar. I would like to see anything she wants to publish for the present; [because] I didn't like the idea of her sitting on my shoulder and beating my head with a wooden spoon.**

5521 Amestoy Ave. Encino, Cal.

Notes:

* Added in ink by Fitzgerald.

** Scottie's “A Short Retort” prompted Fitzgerald's reply, “My Generation,” which was not published until October 1968 in Esquire. Her article was by-lined: “by Frances Scott Fitzgerald, daughter of F. Scott Fitzgerald, whose novels of the Jazz Age are definitive records of an era.” Her article does not mention her father. Speaking of her generation, she states “in the speakeasy era that followed, we were left pretty much to ourselves and allowed to do as we pleased. And so, we 'know the score.'”

824. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, California

Dear Scott:

The third version of your story now called TEMPERATURE has just come in and I have made the corrections that you sent. It is a better length now and I'll show it to The Post tomorrow. I'll read the story through before I give it to one of the editors who is coming in in the morning.

I didn't see Scottie's piece in Mademoiselle until it was in print. Harper's Bazaar wanted Scottie to do a piece about the kind of clothes girls are going to wear in college next fall. This request came just as she was leaving for her operation. The magazine has now given up the idea of using such an article. I don't think there is anything else of Scottie's that will be appearing in the magazines.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

July 10, 1939

825. To Ober

Wire to Ober 11 July 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

HOW DO YOU LIKE IT NOW SCOTT.

826. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

The story is a lot better now that you have shortened it but I do not think and I do not believe you think that it is anywhere near one of your best stories. A slight story like this one cannot stand the length that a more important story would. That is why I was sure you ought to cut it down before we showed it to anyone. It is true that magazines sometimes use a two-part story but here again it is necessary that the story be one that will divide and has suspense enough to hold over for a week or a month as the case may be.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

July 12, 1939

827. To Ober

Wire to Ober sent 13 July 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. Received in New York 3:56 a.m., 14 July. (AO)

STILL FLABBERGASTED AT YOUR ABRUPT CHANGE IN POLICY AFTER 20 YEARS ESPECIALLY WITH STORY IN YOUR HANDS STOP MY COMMERCIAL VALUE CANT HAVE SUNK FROM 60 THOUSAND TO NOTHING BECAUSE OF A SLOW HEALING LUNG CAVITY STOP AFTER 30 PICTURE OFFERS DURING THE MONTHS I WAS IN BED SWANSON NOW PROMISES NOTHING FOR ANOTHER WEEK STOP CANT YOU ARRANGE A FEW HUNDRED ADVANCE FROM A MAGAZINE SO I CAN EAT TODAY AND TOMORROW STOP WONT YOU WIRE SCOTT.*

Notes:

* This wire seems to be the third in a series, beginning about 3 July. Fitzgerald's initial request for money and Ober's refusal—both lost—preceded this reaction by Fitzgerald, which he sent late 13 July California time.

828. To Fitzgerald

Wire to Fitzgerald 14 July 1939. Received in California 10:26 a.m. (PU). This wire and the next one may have crossed.

SORRY COLLECTIONS SLOW AND IMPOSSIBLE MAKE ADVANCE NOW SUGGEST ASKING SWANSON GET ADVANCE ON JOB HAROLD OBER.

The insult to my intelligence in the phrase “collections slow” makes me laugh. FSF
[Fitzgerald apparently returned this wire to Ober with his comment.]

Harold Ober’s refusal to resume advances resulted in a permanent break between Fitzgerald and his agent in 1939.

829. To Ober

Wire to Ober 14 July 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. Received in New York 1:46 p.m. (AO)

WONT YOU PLEASE WIRE SCOTT

830. To Ober

Wire to Ober 14 July 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. Received by Ober 17 July. (AO)

THINK IT IS BETTER NOT TO OFFER TEMPERATURE AGAIN AT PRESENT SEND ME BACK COPY WHICH I WILL LOOK AT LATER SCOTT

831. To Fitzgerald

TLS, 2pp. (PU)

Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I have the following letter from The Post regarding your last short story, TEMPERATURE:

“There is, it seems to us, a real story idea in Scott Fitzgerald's TEMPERATURE, but the thing has been so garbled in the telling that you can't see the story for the words. You, I know, realized this yourself when you gave the manuscript to me.

I wish you'd tell Scott that we are anxious to see more stories of his and suggest to him to put this away for awhile and have another try at it later.”

I also have your telegram suggesting that I do not offer the story further. The story, even now, is about 8,200 words in length which is worse for other magazines than it is for the Post. I think you have enough material for a very light, very short, amusing story, but it isn't a good story now and I don't think it would help you to offer it.

I'm sorry that you are short of money again and I'm sorry that I cannot advance any more money just now. My expenses are increasing right along and I have two boys to send to college and I must save some money to do this with.

The margin of profit in the agency business is small and I think all the agents have found that it is impossible to run an agency and loan money at the same time. I should think that your best plan at present would be to take on a few more jobs in Hollywood and save some money so that when you get ready to write, you will have something to live on.

I haven't lost faith in your being able to write. I do know though that without exception every author I have ever known who has worked in Hollywood has had a transitional period of several months in which it has been difficult for him to get away from the motion picture technique of writing.

Sincerely, Harold

July 18, 1939

P.S. I am returning TEMPERATURE under separate cover.

832. To Ober

TL (cc), 2pp. From Fitzgerald. (PU)

July 19 1939

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York City

Dear Harold:—

This is not a request for any more backing—there will be no more requests. I am quite sure you would be as stubborn in any decision that I am through as you were up to 1934 about the value of my stories. Also I am writing this letter with, I hope, no touch of unpleasantness—simply from a feeling that perhaps you share, that I have depended too long on backing and had better find out at the source whether my products are considered deficient and why.

As I said in my telegram, the shock wasn't so much at your refusal to lend me a specific sum, because I know the demands on you and that you may not have felt able to do so at that time—it was rather “the manner of the doing”, your sudden change of policy in not lending me up to the limit of what a story would sell for, a custom which had obtained between us for over a dozen years. The consequence here is of little interest now—I turned down several picture offers under the conviction that you could tide me over until I got through to a magazine (and this a few months after telling me there was no hurry about paying back that money and just after a year and a half during which I paid your firm over ten thousand dollars in commissions and you personally thirteen thousand dollars in advances.) Sick as I was I would have taken those offers rather than go along on two loans which melted immediately into medical bills and has left me most of the past seven weeks with bank balances of between eighty and fourteen dollars.

You were not here; long distance calls are unsatisfactory and telegrams suddenly did not deserve more than an airmail answer from you so I had no choice but to come to the conclusion that you were through with me in a big way. I repeat, I don't blame you. Every time I've come East I have gone on a binge, most often after a time with Zelda, and the last time I brought a good deal of inconvenience into your settled life. Though you were very nice and polite about it (and I can scarcely remember twice in our relations when there has been any harshness between us—certainly never any harsh feeling on my side) and my unwritten debt to you is terribly large and I shall always be terribly aware of it—your care and cherishing of Scottie during the intervals between school and camp in those awful sick years of '35 and '36. I have wanted someday to be able to repay that to your boys with the same instinct that made me want to give the little Finney girl a trip out here.

But Harold, I must never again let my morale become as shattered as it was in those black years—and the situation resolves itself into this: it is as if a man had once trekked up into the Arctic to save a partner and his load, and then when the partner became lost a second time, the backer was not able or willing to help him get out. It doesn't diminish the lost man's gratitude for former favors, but rather than perish, he must find his own way out—and quickly. I had to sell a 2400 word story to Esquire * that I think Liberty would have paid a thousand for because three Fitzgeralds needed surgeons, psychiatrists and T.B. doctors and medicines at the same time.

I feel less hesitation in saying this because it is probably what you wanted for some time. You now have plenty of authors who produce correctly and conduct their affairs in a business-like manner. On the contrary, I have a neurosis about anyone's uncertainty about my ability that has been a principal handicap in the picture business. And secondly, the semi-crippled state into which I seem to get myself sometimes (almost like the hero of my story “Financing Finnegan”) fill me, in the long nights, with a resentment toward the absurd present which is not fair to you or to the past. Everything I have ever done or written is me, and who doesn't choose to accept the whole cannot but see the wisdom of a parting. One doesn't change at 42 though one can grow more tired and even more acquiescent—and I am very close to knowing how you feel about it all: I realize there is little place in this tortured world for any exhibition of shattered nerves or anything that illness makes people do.

So goodbye and I won't be ridiculous enough to thank you again. Nothing would ever make me forget your many kindnesses and the good times and laughs we have had together. With very best to Ann and the children.

Ever yours, gratefully,

P.S. I know you are not worrying about the $500., but I will pay you out of the first money I make, which probably won't be long now.

5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

Notes:

* “Design in Plaster,” Esquire, November 1939.

There is no surviving Ober reply to Fitzgerald's letters of 19 July and 2 August. It seems unlikely that any were written, for Ober kept his distress to himself. But it was necessary for Fitzgerald to justify his position. On 19 July—the same day he wrote to Ober—Fitzgerald notified Perkins of the break:—

“The main point of this letter is confidential for the most important reasons. Harold Ober and I are parting company. Whether he is throwing me over or me him may be a subject of controversy—but not on my part. . . . Also I shall be forever grateful to Harold for his part of the help in backing me through that long illness, but his attitude has changed and I tell you this without any anger, but after a month's long and regretful consideration. He is a single-tracked man and the feeling that he once had of definite interest combined with forgiveness of my sins, has changed to a sort of general disapproval and a vague sense that I am through—this in spite of the fact that I paid him over ten thousand dollars in commissions in the last year-and-a half and refunded the whole thirteen thousand that I owed him.

“I think something to do with it is the fact that almost every time I have come to New York lately I have just taken Zelda somewhere and have gone on more or less of a binge, and he has formed the idea that I am back in the mess of three years ago.

“Anyhow, it is impossible to continue a relation which has become so strained and difficult. Even though there has been no spoken impoliteness there is a new fashion of discussing my stories as if he was a rather dissatisfied and cranky editor and of answering telegrams with delayed airmails and, most of all, completely changing his old policy of backing me up to the limit of what the next story will probably be sold for which makes it impossible to go on. He fairly earned the fifty thousand dollars or so of commissions that I've paid him and nothing snows one under quicker than a send of disbelief and disillusion in anyone close. The final touch was when I had to sell two stories to Esquire at $250., when I wanted cash quick—one of them was worth at least $1000., from Liberty if he could have given me enough advance to survive the wait.

“So while I feel regret I have no moral compunction. This is a matter of survival. A man lost in the Arctic for the second time cannot sit waiting while a former rescuer refuses to send out another relief expedition. I would rather deal personally with the editors, as I deal always with you, and get opinions at the source. Harold's greatest help was when I lived in Europe. As you know we have never been very close either intellectually or emotionally (save for his kindness to Scottie)... I stuck with him, of course, when he left Reynolds, but now he has many correct and conventional Agatha Christies, etc., on his list who never cause any inconvenience, so I doubt if I will be missed.

“I thought you should know this—know also that he has always treated me fairly and generously and is above reproach as an agent. The blame which brought about this situation is entirely mine. But it is no such illogical step as the one which made Tom Wolfe leave Scribner's. A few weeks ago when three Fitzgeralds at once were in the hands of the medical profession he found it inconvenient to help and under the circumstances of the last year and a half the episode served to give me a great uncertainty as to his caring what becomes of me.

“Above all things I wish you wouldn't discuss this with him. I have not, nor will ever say, nor could say anything against him either personally or professionally, but even the fact that I have discussed the matter with you might upset him and give him ideas that I had, and turn what should be a peaceful cleavage into an unpleasant affair.”

Apparently Perkins did not react to this letter, for Fitzgerald wrote mentioning the Ober break again on 22 and 24 July. Perkins wrote on 26 July urging Fitzgerald to stay with Ober: “But, Scott, I think that Harold Ober is one of the very best and most loyal friends you have in the world. I hope to God you will stand by him. I don't know what misunderstanding you may have had, but I do know what he thinks of you, and that he has always been absolutely true to you in every sense. I do not think a man has any business to interfere in relations between other people, but if you will allow me in this case, I should say that something very serious would have to have happened before you would think of turning away from Harold.”

On 18 July Fitzgerald began negotiating directly with Kenneth Littauer of Collier's:

“I would like to send the story directly to you, which amounts to a virtual split with Ober. This is regrettable after twenty years of association but it had better be asked under the anonymity of 'one of those things.' Harold is a fine man and has been a fine agent and the fault is mine. Through one illness he backed me with a substantial amount of money (all paid back to him now with Hollywood gold), but he is not prepared to do that again with growing boys to educate—and, failing this, I would rather act for a while as my own agent in the short story just as I always have with Scribners. But I much prefer, both for his sake and mine, that my sending you the story direct should be a matter between you and me. For the fact to reach him through your office might lead to an unpleasant cleavage of an old relationship. I am writing him later in the week making the formal break on terms that will be understood between us, and I have no doubt that in some ways be will probably welcome it. Relationships have an unfortunate way of wearing out, like most things in this world.”

Later in July Fitzgerald wrote Littauer:

“The second thing is my relation to Ober. It is completely vague. I've very seldom taken his advice on stories. I have regarded him as a mixture of friend, bill collector and for a couple of sick years as backer. So far as any editorial or financial dealing, I would much rather, as things are now, deal directly with an editor. For instance, if this sort of story is worth less to you than a story of young love, I would be perfectly willing to accept less. I would not want any agent to stand in my way in that regard. I think all the agents still act as if we were back in the 1920s in a steadily rising market.”

833. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. (AO)

July 22 1939

Harold Ober Office 40 East 49th Street New York City

Dear Sirs:—

From lack of communication in regard to my story “Temperature”, I am assuming that Mr. Ober is on his vacation. I wired about a week ago directly to the Post. They answered suggesting some specific changes whereupon I wired you to return the manuscript to me and have expected it by airmail daily.

As I said in the wire, I want to do a revision before showing it to any other magazine.

Sincerely, F. Scott Fitzgerald

P.S. Would you please wire me collect whether the manuscript is on its way to me?*

5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

Notes:

* Immediately following the P.S. a note in Ober's hand reads: “This was sent to him on July 19th (last Wednesday) by Express.”

834. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), l p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

Dear Scott:

The copy of TEMPERATURE was shipped to you on the day you asked me for it. I hope you have it by now. Let me know if you don't receive it and I'll send out a tracer for it. I didn't send it airmail because you said you might look it over later on.*

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

July 24, 1939

Notes:

* A note quoting Fitzgerald's second 14 July telegram is added in Ober's hand in the bottom margin.

835. To Ober

TLS, 2 pp. (AO); Turnbull.

August 2 1939

Dear Harold:—

I have been and still am somewhat shocked by your sudden and most determined reversal of form. Only six months ago you were telling me “not to be in too much of a hurry to pay you back” but instead try to save some money. It was something of a counter-blast to find that my credit was now worth much less than I loaned Charles Warren and other young authors last year. Your advice that I should have “taken on some movie work” with a lung cavity and a temperature of 102° was a new slant. The cavity evidently began to form about the time I started on “Air Raid”, and your implication that I had been loafing must have been based on those two day binges in New York, several months apart. Anyhow, when the temperature was still a hundred and the cavity still crackling I was asking Swanie [1] to get me work and meanwhile putting in five hours a day on a bed-desk.

Being in need, I make no apology for having sent the original of the enclosed* directly to the Post, with the request that they communicate by wire to me as well as by letter to you. I had a fifteen day wait on “Temperature”—it is hard to remember there was a time your cables reached me in North Africa. Sending a story direct may be bad policy but one doesn't consider that when one is living on money from a hocked Ford—every day counts, less in the material matter of eating than in the inestimable question of morale. Swanie turned down a dozen jobs for me when I was sick in bed—but there just haven't been any since the cavity began to heal. I don't have to explain that even though a man has once saved another from drowning, when he refuses to stretch out his arm a second time the victim has to act quickly and desperately to save himself. For change you did, Harold, and without warning—the custom of lending up to the probable yield of a next short story obtained between us for a dozen years. Certainly you haven't just discovered that I'm not any of the things a proper business man should be? And it wasn't even a run around—it was a walk-around that almost made me think the New York telegraph was closed. Finally I had to sell a pair of stories** to Esquire the longer one of which (2800 words) might have brought twice as much from Liberty.

Whatever I am supposed to guess, your way of doing it and the time you chose, was as dispiriting as could be. I have been all too hauntingly aware during these months of what you did from 1934 to 1937 to keep my head above water after the failure of Tender. Zelda's third collapse and the long illness. But you have made me sting none the less. Neither Swanson nor Sheilah nor Eddie Knopf have any idea but that I have labored conscientiously out here for twenty months and every studio (except Wanger, but including Metro!) asked for, according to Swanson, me at some time during April and May.

Your reasons for refusing to help me were all good, all praiseworthy, all sound—but wouldn't they have been equally so any time within the past fifteen years? And they followed a year and a half in which I fulfilled all my obligations. [2]

If it is of any interest to you I haven't had a drink in two months but if I was full of champagne I couldn't be more confused about you than I am now.

Ever yours, Scott

P.S. “Temperature” turned up yesterday at the Van Nuys Railway Express—and in case you think that's incredible I forward the evidence.

5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

Notes:

* “Director's Special,” published as “Discard,” Harper's Bazaar, January 1948.

** Probably “Design in Plaster,” Esquire, November 1939, and “The Lost Decade,” December 1939.

[1] H. N. Swanson, Hollywood agent.

[2] Fitzgerald refers to his having paid off about $25,000 worth of debts with his M-G-M salary.

Fitzgerald's 3 August reply to Maxwell Perkins's plea to reconsider the break indicates that he was still very hurt and he wanted some sign of Ober's confidence in him. The fact of Ober's support mattered as much to Fitzgerald as the money did:

“Thanks for your letter of July 26. The attached was enclosed with a carbon copy of a manuscript sent to Harold Ober. I chose a moderate course. If he wants to break it is all right with me. In reading my letter keep in mind that during the last year and a half I have paid his firm $9,000. in commissions as well as returning to him $13,000., the entire sum I owed him, the process beginning even before I went to Hollywood. . . .

[14 lines omitted by the editors]

“P.S. Don't think that your advice wasn't valuable. I had composed a much harsher and less just letter to Harold which I did not send. After all, part of his function is to encourage me rather than play the disapproving schoolmaster.”

The Fitzgerald-Ober wound never healed. Later in 1939 when Fitzgerald was trying to sell the serial rights for The Last Tycoon, he acted as his own agent. However, Scottie continued to stay with the Obers, and Fitzgerald and Ober corresponded cordially enough about her. After Fitzgerald died, the Obers continued to look after Scottie; and Ober saw to it, with help from Perkins, that she finished Vassar.

836. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I am pleased with DIRECTOR'S SPECIAL and hope The Post will like it. Whether they do or not, it's a good piece of work. I'll write you again in a few days.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

August 7, 1939

837. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, California

Dear Scott:

One of the editors of The Post was in today and talked to me about DIRECTOR'S SPECIAL. He said they all felt that this would be a story for The Post if you could make it less obscure— especially at the beginning and the end. I think the first part could be fixed with a little cutting in the first two or three pages and a little more explanation of where everybody is and what they are doing. The first paragraph, for instance, is a little difficult to understand.

The ending is clear enough to me but The Post evidently would like to have you make it clearer that Dolly comes out on top. Perhaps you could build up a little more to the fact that The Portrait of a Lady is a very important one to get. If The Post doesn't like the story after you have done this, or even if you don't feel like doing anything more with it, I think I can sell it to Collier's.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

August 8, 1939

838. To Ober

Wire to Ober 9 August 1939. Encino, Calif. (AO)

DONHOFFER DIRECTORS SPECIAL UNTIL YOU GET REVISED VERSION REGARDS FITZGERALD.

839. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. (AO)

August 12 1939

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York City

Dear Harold:—

This revise follows most of the suggestions you sent me in addition to some by Scottie. It is not quite a top story—and there's nothing much I can do about it. The reasons are implicit in the structure which wanders a little. If you really think the Post sounded interested you might give them another shot at it, but the note I received from them did not sound very hopeful. It was from a man I've never met as Adelaide Neall seems to be away.

In any case, please don't offer it to Collier's under any conditions.* It simply couldn't stand any cutting whatsoever and one of the reasons for its faults is that I was continually conscious in the first draft of that Collier' length and left out all sorts of those sideshows that often turn out to be highspots.

Couldn't you try the Cosmopolitan or some of those other magazines you mentioned? It certainly seems to me to be a woman's story and my impression is that Stout** likes women's stories less than Lorimer did.

It is quite probably that I am set for a picture job the beginning of this week.***

Ever yours, F Scott Fitz—

P.S. Please have any pages that look bad typed over.

5521 Amestoy Ave. Encino, California

Notes:

* Fitzgerald had attempted to sell “Director's Special” to Kenneth Littauer of Collier's in July.

** Wesley Winan Stout, editor of The Saturday Evening Post.

*** Probably Open That Door (based on the novel Bull by the Horns) for Universal.

840. To Fitzgerald

TL(cc), 1 p. (AO)

Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

Dear Scott:

I have the revision of DIRECTOR'S SPECIAL. One of the editors of the Post was in this morning and I let him take it back to Philadelphia with him, although I don't feel sure that it is changed enough to change their decision. They have just discovered that they need a few stories that will interest women so perhaps this will get there at just the right time.

If The Post doesn't buy the story Collier's is, in my opinion, the best market for it. The story is a very good length for Collier's and I think it should be offered there next. You may remember that when Collier's advanced some of the money that helped you get to Hollywood I agreed they would have a chance at your stories. I think they would be surprised and hurt to see the story in any other magazine than the Post.

Please give our love to Scottie. We hope she will come to make us a visit before she goes back to college.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

August 15, 1939

841. To Ober

Wire to Ober 15 August 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

PLEASE WIRE ME COLLECT WHO HAS STORY AND WHEN I MAY EXPECT DECISION REGARDS
FITZGERALD.

842. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 16 August 1939. (AO)

STORY AT POST EXPECT DECISION NEXT WEEK
Harold Ober

843. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. (AO)

August 16 1939

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York City

Dear Harold:—

Thanks for the wire. If the Post still doesn't like it, would* rather you would show it to any other magazine except Collier's.

It seems to take the[m] Post much longer to decide than it used to, doesn't it? Scottie sends her best.

Yours Scott

5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

Notes:

* Fitzgerald made corrections in ink.

844. To Ober

Wire to Ober 17 August 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

DONT OFFER STORY COLLIER. WRITING SCOTT.

845. To Fitzgerald

TL(cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Ave. Encino, California

Dear Scott:

The Post declined DIRECTOR'S SPECIAL for the second time. The editors tell me that none of them could make head nor tail out of it. I think the story is clear if anyone takes the trouble to think about it, but I think it is true now more than ever before that readers read for pleasure and would rather read an obvious story than a too subtle one. I am showing this story to other editors and hope to find someone who will like it.

If I sell it to some other magazine, I shall have to explain to Collier's why I did not show it to them. You may have forgotten but just before you went to Hollywood, when you needed money very badly, Collier's gave us some money on the Civil War story although it was not in shape so that they could use it. To induce them to do this, I promised that I would give them, for a reasonable length of time, an equal chance with the Post at your stories. I told you this at the time and I think we have to live up to our agreement. I still think that Collier's would be more likely to buy this story than any other magazine.

I hope the job at Universal has relieved your necessity. Please tell Scottie that we are looking forward to a visit from her.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

August 28, 1939

846. To Ober

Wire to Ober 28 August 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

WHERE IS STORY REGARDS SCOTT FITZGERALD*

Notes:

* Note in another hand reads: “story in office”.

847. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 29 August 1939. (AO)

STORY AT COSMOPOLITAN Harold Ober

848. To Ober

Wire to Ober 11 September 1939. Encino, Calif. (AO)

YOU MIGHT AS WELL SEND THE STORY BACK HERE STOP MOST OF MY PLANS HAVE GONE COMPLETELY ASTRAY STOP WILL WRITE YOU
FITZGERALD.

849. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Ave. Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

DIRECTOR'S SPECIAL is now at Cosmopolitan. If they decline it, I'll send it back to you.

I'm glad to know that you have a job with Samuel Goldwyn and I'll be glad to hear from you when you have a chance to write me.*

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

September 14, 1939

Notes:

* Fitzgerald was working on the film Raffles.

850. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. (AO)

September 19 1939

Dear Harold:

The job at Goldwyn's lasted one week. Goldwyn and Wood* had a fight on the set, and Wood said he'd quit if he had to rehearse the characters in new dialogue. Eddie Knopf told Swanson my stuff was grand and that he'll get me back some way.

Very encouraging. Almost as much fun as the war. I've had two picture offers since I began to walk again last July. Each for one week. The last one paid the income tax and left a cash balance of $38.00. I've never asked Swanie for money unless I was working-he told me in advance that he never lent money to writers. Once I used to write him pieces for College Humor as a favor. You always thought it was rather foolish. I guess you were right.

And so it goes. I can't possibly pay Scottie's Vassar tuition of $615.00. I'm working today on an Esquire story to get her back here. The situation is all so preposterous that I can't even discuss it any more. Because I made $68,000 last year, because Swanie won't offer me for less than fifteen hundred, I can't keep Scottie in school.

Ever yours, Scott

5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

Notes:

* Director Sam Wood.

Fitzgerald was working on the film Raffles.

851. To Fitzgerald

Wire (cc) to Fitzgerald 2 October 1939. (AO)

HAVE OFFER ONE MORNING BROADCAST OF GREAT GATSBY YOUR SHARE $250 OWEN DAVIS ARRANGING WITH HIS PLAY ETHAN FROME SHALL I ACCEPT
HAROLD OBER

852. To Ober

Wire to Ober 2 October 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

ALL RIGHT WITH ME ABOUT GATSBY. PLEASE AIR MAIL ME WHEN AND WHAT STATION
F SCOTT FITZGERALD.

853. To Ober

Wire to Ober 2 October 1939. Van Nuys, Calif. (AO)

IF YOU CAN SEND HALF THAT RADIO MONEY TO THE COMPTROLLER AT VASSAR IT WOULD HELP STOP SITUATION NOT IMPROVED HERE
SCOTT FITZGERALD.

854. To Fitzgerald

TLS, 2pp. (PU)

Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I don't know when the radio money will be along but I'll send One Hundred and Twenty-five Dollars now to the Comptroller at Vassar.

Cosmopolitan has returned DIRECTOR'S SPECIAL with the following letter:

“It's really heart-breaking to return a Scott Fitzgerald story. I think everybody in our kind of work today really gets a thrill from seeing that name in print or on a manuscript. I read DIRECTOR'S SPECIAL with the highest hope and was terribly disappointed that I could not whole-heartedly recommend it. That opinion seemed to be general here, I regret to say.”

I believe you asked me to return it to you so I am sending it back, under separate cover. As I told you, the Post thought it still very difficult to understand even after you had revised it. I still think it would sell much more quickly and for a better price if you would simplify it. And by this I mean to make it a little more obvious. It isn't a story that the average reader can get his teeth into. The very first page is difficult to understand until the reader has read half the story.

The editor of Collier's told me a few days ago that you had sent a story direct to him. I really don't think you are helping yourself by sending stories off direct to editors. Every author I know has difficulty in his writing after working for a time in Hollywood. This is so true that I have heard a great many editors comment on it. Most of them think that working in Hollywood ruins an author. I know that it needn't ruin an author permanently but I think it is important to get a story just right before offering it.

I have written you a couple of letters and then I have torn them up. I think, however, I have explained as well as I can the reason why I cannot go on advancing money. I don't think any agent can do that and stay in business.

Scottie was with us for a day or two before going back to Vassar and we have had a letter or two from her. Everything seems to be going well with her. She says she really felt like getting back to work.

I hope you are feeling better and I'll be glad to hear from you.

Sincerely, Harold

October 3, 1939

855. To Scottie

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

Miss Frances Fitzgerald, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York

Dear Scottie:

I am sorry not to have written you sooner about your story, but I have been very busy the last few days. I have read your story and two other readers have read it also and I am sorry to say that none of us is very enthusiastic about it.

I think you ought to do some more work on it before it is ready to offer. There is, for instance, a very confused paragraph on page five.

I think one trouble with the story is that you have told something that really happened. Such an incident rarely makes a good story as the writer is apt to be hampered by what really happened. The background is all right but you need to get some kind of a plot. I am sending the manuscript back to you, under separate cover. If you have any ideas for rewriting it, I'll be glad to see it again.

We were very glad to have your letter and we hope to see you soon.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

October 3, 1939

856. To Ober

Wire to Ober 4 October 1939. Encino, Calif. (AO)

PLEASE ANSWER ABOUT TUITION MONEY STOP YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH A HUNDRED DOLLARS MEANS NOW SCOTT FITZGERALD.

857. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, Cal.

Dear Scott:

I have your telegram asking about the tuition money. I am not wiring you because I wrote you yesterday saying that I would send half the amount to Vassar. You'll get the letter before a telegram would reach you. I have sent One Hundred and Twenty-five Dollars to the Comptroller at Vassar. As I told you, I haven't received the money and I may not for another month or two.

Sincerely, [Harold Ober]

October 4, 1939

858. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. (AO); Turnbull.

October 7 1939

Mr. Harold Ober 40 E. 49th Street New York City

Dear Harold:—

Thanks for your letter. Thanks for taking care of Scottie. And your saying that you had written me several letters and torn them up did something to clarify what I had begun to interpret as some sadistic desire to punish me. I sent the stories to Collier's for the simple reason that it seemed difficult to deal with someone who treats you with dead silence. Against silence you can do nothing but fret and wonder. Your disinclination to back me is, of course, your own business, but representing me without communication (such as returning a story to me without even an airmail stamp) is pretty close to saying you were through with me.

I communicated directly with Collier's and wrote a series of pieces for Esquire because we have to live and eat and nothing can interfere with that. Can't you regard this trouble as a question of a man who has had a bad break and leave out the moral problem as to whether or not, or how much it is his own fault? And if you think I can't write, read these stories. They brought just two hundred and fifty apiece from Esquire, because I couldn't wait to hear from you, because I had bank balances of five, ten and fifteen dollars.

Anyhow I have “lived dangerously” and I may quite possibly have to pay for it, but there are plenty of other people to tell me that and it doesn't seem as if it should be you.

I don't think there is any chance of fixing up that other story. It just isn't good.

Sincerely, Scott

P.S. Could you mail me back these stories? I have no copies. Don't you agree that they are worth more than $250.? One of them was offered to Collier's in desperation—the first Pat Hobby story but Littauer wired that it “wasn't a story”.* Who's right?

5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino, California

Notes:

* Probably “A Man in the Way,” Esquire, February 1940.

859. To Fitzgerald

TL (cc), 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, California

Dear Scott:

I have just had a note from K. S. White* of the New Yorker, wanting to know if there's a chance you would have something for them, either prose or verse. She says they would welcome anything from you.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

October 9, 1939

Notes:

* Mrs. E. B. White, formerly Katherine Angell.

860. To Ober

TLS, 1 p. (AO)

October 11 1939

Mr. Harold Ober 40 East 49th Street New York City

Dear Harold: In reply to your letter of the 9th, what does the New Yorker pay for prose pieces?

Sincerely yours, Scott Fitzgerald

5521 Amestoy Ave. Encino, California

861. To Fitzgerald

TLS, 1 p. (PU)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. 5521 Amestoy Avenue Encino Los Angeles, California

Dear Scott:

I am returning the five sketches you sent me. The one entitled BETWEEN PLANES* seemed to me the most interesting. I'm not surprised that Collier's didn't like the one you sent there. I don't think the general public is very much interested in the work in studios; at any rate, editors do not seem to think so.

The New Yorker's top price for fiction is fifteen cents a word for the first 1200 words and eight cents a word thereafter. The things they use in the back of the book bring somewhat less. You may remember that they paid $50 for a piece you wrote called A BOOK OF MY OWN and $30 for LINES FOR AN URN and $25 for LAMP IN A WINDOW.

Sincerely, Harold

October 17, 1939

Notes:

* Published as “Three Hours Between Planes,” Esquire, July 1941.

Nearly all the Fitzgerald/Ober correspondence for 1940 is missing, but it probably was not extensive. After their break in July-August 1939, Fitzgerald acted as his own agent in negotiating for a serial sale of The Last Tycoon. The history of this novel can be pieced together from other correspondence.

By October 1939 Fitzgerald had an outline and notes for The Last Tycoon and began the actual writing. Kenneth Littauer, editor of Collier's, to whom Fitzgerald was trying to sell short stories, expressed interest in the serial rights. Fitzgerald tried to use Maxwell Perkins as his unofficial agent in negotiations with Littauer, and wired Perkins on 11 October 1939: PLEASE LUNCH IF YOU CAN WITH KENNETH LITTAUR OF COLLIERS IN RELATION TO SERIAL OF WHICH HE HAS THE OUTLINE. OBER TO BE ABSOLUTELY EXCLUDED FROM PRESENT STATE OF NEGOTIATIONS. ...On the 16th Perkins wrote a memo to Charles Scribner stating that Collier's would be willing to pay up to $30,000 for the serial if they accepted it on the basis of a 15,000-word sample. Perkins expressed concern that Fitzgerald would want Scribners to support him while he was writing the sample. On 20 October Fitzgerald wrote to Perkins stating that Collier's was really prepared to pay only $15,000, but that he couldn't live on that for four months. And on the same day he wrote to Littauer:

“Dear Kenneth:—
“I was disappointed in our conversation the other day—I am no good on long distance and should have had notes in my hand.

“I want to make plain how my proposition differs from yours. First there is the question of the total payment; second, the terms of payment, which would enable me to finish it in these straightened circumstances.

“In any case I shall probably attack the novel. I have about decided to make a last liquidation of assets, put my wife in a public place, and my daughter to work and concentrate on it—simply take a furnished room and live on canned goods.

“But writing it under such conditions I should want to market it with the chance of getting a higher price for it.

“It was to avoid doing all this, that I took you up on the idea of writing it on installments. I too bad figured on the same price per installment you had paid for a story, but I had no idea that you would want to pack more into an installment than your five thousand word maximum for a story. So the fifty thousand words at $2500. for each 5000 word installment would have come to $25,000. In addition, I had figured that a consecutive story is easier rather than harder to write than the same number of words divided into short stories because the characters and settings are determined in advance, so my idea had been to ask you $20,000. for the whole job. But $15,000.—that would be much too marginal. It would be better to write the whole thing in poverty and freedom of movement with the finished product. Fifteen thousand would leave me more in debt than I am now.

“On the question of the terms of payment, my proposition was to include the exact amount which you offer in your letter only I bad divided it, so that the money would come in batches of $3000. every four weeks, or something like that.

“When we had our first phone conversation the fact that I did not have enough to start on, further complicated the matter; I have hoped that perhaps that's where Scribners would come in. A telegram from Max told me he was going to see you again but I've heard nothing further.

“I hope that this will at least clear up any ambiguity. If the proposition is all off, I am very sorry. I regret now that I did not go on with the novel last April when I had some money, instead of floundering around with a lot of disassociated ideas that were half-heartedly attempted and did not really come to anything. I know you are really interested, and thank you for the trouble you have taken.
Ever Yours Gratefully

“P.S. Whether the matter is dead or just dangling I still don V want Ober to have anything to do with the negotiation. For five years I feel he has been going around thinking of me as a lost soul, and conveying that impression to others. It makes me gloomy when I see his name on an envelope.” (Scribners Archives, PU)

In November 1939 Fitzgerald submitted a 6,000-word opening of 'The Last Tycoon to Littauer, who replied that it was not enough to base a decision on. Fitzgeralds reaction was to wire Perkins on 28 November to send the material to The Saturday Evening Post: I GUESS THERE ARE NO GREAT MAGAZINES EDITORS LEFT. The next day Perkins attempted to encourage Fitzgerald by offering a personal loan of $1,000. Apparently the Post expressed no interest, for on 29 November Fitzgerald wired Perkins to show the Tycoon material to Leland Hayward in the hope of setting up a deal for a studio to finance the writing of a picture based on the novel. Perkins tried, but Hayward did not take the bait.

After this Fitzgerald made no further attempt to sell the serial rights, although at the time of his death he bad completed five and a half chapters. The reason for Fitzgerald's loss of interest in the serial deal may be that the novel had grown as he wrote it so that he no longer regarded it as suitable for serialization in Collier's—or perhaps he was waiting to find out what it would turn into. His original plan had called for a nine-chapter novel of 51,000 words, but the five and a half chapters be wrote totaled some 45,000 words. On 13 December 1940—seven days before his death—Fitzgerald wrote Perkins that he expected to finish the first draft “some time after the 15th of January.”

Fitzgerald supported himself in 1940 with the Pat Hobby stories and three movie jobs. He wrote “Cosmopolitan” (based on “Babylon Revisited”) for Lester Cowan during April-June. He had two short assignments at 20th-century Fox in August and September—“Brooklyn Bridge” (not made) and a script based on Emlyn Williams's play The Light of Heart (produced as Life Begins at Eight-thirty in 1942 from Nunnally Johnson's script).

862. To Ober

Pencil note at bottom of letter from King Features Syndicate (15 July 1940) asking about Scandinavian rights to “The End of Hate.” (AO)

Dear Harold:

As you see the Nazis are making an attempt to buy me up. Perhaps my future lies in pegged Kronen.
Scott

863. To Fitzgerald

TL, 1 p. (AO)

F. Scott Fitzgerald, Esq. [Pencil note in top margin, not in Ober's hand, reads: “HO took letter to Scarsdale to get address from Scottie.”]

Dear Scott:

I have sold a broadcast right on your story THE DANCE to the agency handling the Philip Morris program, for $100.

Sincerely yours, [Harold Ober]

August 22, 1940

In November 1940 Fitzgerald had his first heart attack. He was working on The Last Tycoon. On 20 December 1940 he suffered a second heart attack. He died suddenly the next day. He was buried on 27 December in Rockville, Maryland.

864. Memo by Harold Ober

Memo (pencil) 3 pp.

21 December 1940.

Memo made by Harold Ober on being phoned of Scott's death [Added in Anne Ober's hand in ink] by Sheila Graham

Hollywood 7730 until 2-05 in the morning

Santa Monica 53919 after 20 minutes before 3

after 10 (California time tomorrow) for a short time

Secretary Frances Kroll Crestview 13704

Los Angeles

(Executors John Biggs + Max Perkins)

Scott Now at Pierce Bros Mortuary

720 West Washington Boulevard

Los Angeles

There is $700 (about) that can be used

Monday the Secretary will know about Insurance

She has will and papers and rough draft of 2/3 of novel. Sheila G. says Scott intended to rewrite the first part entirely—he wouldn't want it seen as it is—

The will directs that [his] the funeral shall be at [the] lowest possible expense. S. doesn't think he would like to be buried in California because he really hated California. She thinks he would like to be buried where his father is buried because he admired him.

Sheila G. wants to know whether [you are] Scottie is coming out— doesn't think [you] she ought to come alone. She would come back with [you] her if [you] she wants her to.

Sheila says the only relative Scott liked was Cousin Ceci. He liked Zeldas mother [five words omitted by editors]

Scott was talking about [you] Scottie a lot this afternoon. He had never been so happy about [you] her as he was today He spoke of how well [you were] she was doing at Vassar and said the one thing he wanted [you] her to do was finish Vassar—

Two or three days ago Scott didnt feel very well and the doctor had him in bed—but for the last few days he had been feeling well and happy. Dr had told him not to do too much up and down stairs. Sheila was with him this afternoon. He had a kind of heart attack a month or two ago He was in very good spirits because he had been pleased with the writing he had done recently. He was talking about Scottie, got up from his chair and dropped dead. Sheila said she was sure he had no pain and that he didnt know there was anything the matter.

Sheila said the ms of the novel was all first draft and some of it was in a confused state—but some of it was beautifully done—some of the best writing he had ever done

865. To Ober From Zelda

ALS, 4pp. n.d.—Anne Ober has dated this letter 24 December 1940. (AO)

Dear Harold:

Again, I am so deeply indebted to you, and so grateful for the kindness, and effort, that you have accorded to Scott and Scottie and myself. We have always wanted to be able to repay your courtesies which have meant so much to us; and somehow never could, and now we never can.

Though I dont know the story of the rupture between you and Scott I know that he was so used to being devoted to you that he couldn't really think of you in any other terms; and I know as grateful a heart as his never forgot the happiness that you have given Scottie and the sense of warmth and security that you have contributed to her life by your hospitality—both spiritual, and material.

I am heart-broken over Scott: he loved people and had deadicated so much of his life to the moral sustenance of many that I am sure that he must have left many friends. Many nights, he has worked on somebody elses manuscript, transposing a paragraph or giving a bit of advice when he was too sick to take care of his own He was as spiritually generous a soul as ever was; and gave as freely of his soul as he did of whatever hospitality a hard life left him to dispose

In retrospect it seems as if he was always planning happinesses for Scottie, and for me. Books to read—places to go. Life seemed so promisory always when he was around: and I always believed that he could take care of anything.

It seems so useless and purposeless that I wont be able to tell him about all this. Although we were not close any more, Scott was the best friend a person could have to me—

Maybe sometime you will be coming south. We would love to see you: or maybe something will someday take me to New York. In any case, my gratitude is always with you; as are my sincerest good wishes and my kindliest remembrances.

If I may, I will write some time—I would be sad to lose completely all contact with the world that we were once-upon-a-time so happy in.

Devotedly Zelda

care Mrs A D. Sayre 322 Sayre St Montgomery Ala

Fitzgerald did the best job of indicating what Ober meant to him when he wrote Perkins on 19 December 1939: 'When Harold withdrew from the questionable honor of being my banker, I felt completely numb financially and I suddenly wondered what money was and where it came from. There had always seemed a little more somewhere and now there wasn't.”

WHO'S WHO

Harold Ober (1881–1959) was Fitzgerald’s agent for magazine writings. Most of Fitzgerald’s income came from the magazines, and through Ober’s efforts The Saturday Evening Post paid Fitzgerald his peak price of $4,000 per story in 1929. Ober received a ten-percent fee. The Ober-Fitzgerald financial relationship was complex with Ober acting as Fitzgerald’s banker, making interest-free loans against unsold and even unwritten stories. The Obers became Scottie’s surrogate parents during her prep-school and Vassar years. Fitzgerald broke with Ober in 1939 over the agent’s refusal to commence a new cycle of loans after Fitzgerald had paid his debts.

Published as book in 1973.

As Ever, Scott Fitz——(Correspondence of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Harold Ober)

1937-1940Hollywood

612. To Ober

613. To Fitzgerald

614. To Ober

615. To Fitzgerald

616. To Ober

617. To Fitzgerald

618. To Ober

619. To Fitzgerald

620. To Fitzgerald

621. To Fitzgerald

622. To Ober

623. To Ober

624. To Fitzgerald

625. To Ober

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627. To Fitzgerald

628. To Ober

629. To Ober

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631. To Fitzgerald

632. To Ober

633. To Fitzgerald

634. To Ober

635. To Ober

636. To Fitzgerald

637. To Fitzgerald

638. To Ober

639. Memo by Ober

640. To Fitzgerald

641. To Fitzgerald

642. To Ober

643. To Fitzgerald

644. To Fitzgerald

645. To Fitzgerald

646. To Ober

647. To Fitzgerald

648. Readers' Reports on “THEY NEVER GROW OLDER” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

649. To Ober

649a. Memo by Fitzgerald

650. To Fitzgerald

651. To Fitzgerald

652. To Ober

653. To Ober

654. To Ober

655. To Fitzgerald

656. To Ober

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658. To Fitzgerald

659. To Fitzgerald

660. Inscription to Ober

661. To Fitzgerald

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664. To Fitzgerald

665. To Ober

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669. To Ober

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671. To Ober

672. To Fitzgerald

673. To Fitzgerald

674. To Fitzgerald

675. Readers' reports on Athletic Interval by F. Scott Fitzgerald

676. To Ober

677. To Fitzgerald

678. Account Statement by Ober

679. To Ober

680. To Fitzgerald

681. To Fitzgerald

682. To Ober

683. To Ober

684. To Fitzgerald

685. To Anne Ober

686. To Ober

687. To Ober

688. To Fitzgerald

As Ever, Scott Fitz——
(Correspondence of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Harold Ober)

1937-1940
Hollywood