Jean RENOIR (1894-1979). Typescript with handwritten additio - Lot 158

Jean RENOIR (1894-1979). Typescript with handwritten additions, La Règle du jeu, 1939; 193 leaves in-4 in 2 booklets and a folder (some frayed edges and small tears). Complete working script of La Règle du jeu, extensively corrected and modified. A precious record of the making of this film, a cinematic masterpiece. Original script by the film's head scriptwriter, Dido Freire (1907-1990), who followed the shoot alongside Marguerite Renoir (Jean's companion), who edited the film; during the shoot, Dido became Renoir's new companion, replacing Marguerite. Renoir married Dido in 1944. We can only give you an idea of this fascinating document, which has been extensively reworked and is extremely complex. This script comprises 3 folders: two mimeographed brochures by Copy-Bourse, interspersed with numerous typed sheets, followed by a folder of typed sheets; the whole is overloaded with corrections and additions. The covers of both the brochure1 and the folder bear Dido Freire's signature. The primitive script, mimeographed by Copy-Bourse, shows the technical breakdown and didascalia in the left-hand column, with the dialogue in the right-hand column; it was to be extensively reworked, either by handwritten annotations (mainly in pencil) or strikethroughs or deletions (in blue or red pencil), or by the insertion of typewritten sheets stapled onto the mimeograph, or by a new version pasted onto the old one, the whole often corrected again. Thus, the 40 pages of the first booklet were supplemented by 22 typed sheets, and the second booklet (pages 43-82) by 32 additional sheets. The final folder comprises 57 sheets. Corrections and additions are mainly in Dido Freire's hand, some in Jean Renoir's own hand, and sometimes in another hand. In addition to deleted scenes and altered or added dialogue, there are several shot diagrams. We have 4 versions of the beginning of the first sequence (A) of the film, at Le Bourget airfield, including one with two lines of Octave trying to approach the plane marked "Deleted", one with the shots numbered by Renoir, and one where the text of the Reporter [to be replaced by a Speakerine] is largely crossed out and modified (originally, a French reporter and an American reporter were planned). On the 2nd page, Renoir specifies the breakdown: "11 - L.P. of André and Octave / 12- Very close-up". On the following page, during Jurieu's statement, he plans to insert a "shot of Christine", but then abandons the idea; the text of Jurieu's statements has been added to the roneo. The following sequence (B), in Christine's bedroom, is heavily annotated and corrected, then crossed out with blue and red lines; opposite, Dido has drawn a plan of the dressing room and noted the details of the costumes and the scene: Christine gray evening dress - veil on head flowers hair [sketch] pink green - bracelet on each arm. Lisette black dress - blue bow on collar. Ch. standing in front of center mirror facing mirror. Lisette standing at right of radio table, holding evening bag with 2 hands looks at Ch." On the following page, a sketch showing the different angles of the shots... Sequence D, showing the arrival of Jurieu's carriage in front of the Hôtel de La Chesnaye and his dialogue with Octave (p. 13-15) is crossed out and marked "Deleted". Sequence E "Chez La Chesnaye, avant le square et le golf", heavily annotated and corrected by Dido and Renoir, is deleted. Sequence F (p.18-21), outdoors, with a panoramic shot of the La Chesnaye's car, from outside their hotel to the Avenue du Bois and the Square de la Muette, with a scene between André and Christine, is marked "Deleted". Sequence G, between La Chesnaye and Geneviève, was to have taken place on a golf course, and is replaced by a new inserted version, set at Geneviève's home, with Renoir adding to one of his lines: "Christine has remained very much of her country. A Parisian woman wouldn't understand". The scene of Jurieu's car accident is heavily edited on inserted sheets; Dido has noted the costume detail: "Toutain: gray pants, jacket, yellow sweater, blue shirt". Renoir completed Octave's line about Christine: "Especially since she needs it. She's a stranger here, people don't speak her language... she's off-center - and she needs to be left alone" (p.27). The scene was supposed to end on a building site, with workers: "deleted" (p.29-32). Sequence I (p.33-40), at La Chesnaye, where Octave has André invited to La Colinière, has been largely covered by