Skylark

New York: Random House, 1939. Hardcover. Very Good. First edition. Lightly soiled, and a small faint stain to one corner, very good or better lacking the dustwrapper. Basis for the 1941 Mark Dansdrich film featuring Claudette Colbert, Ray Milland, Brian Aherne, and Binnie Barnes. Raphaelson’s first novel, about the neglected wife of a busy advertising executive. Inscribed to his close friend, James M. Cain, and Cain’s second wife (of four) Elina: "for James and Elena [sic] with love – Raph. New York May, 1939." Raphaelson, as a highly successful playwright and screenwriter, was one of Cain's idols. Cain spent nearly as much time writing unsuccessful plays as he did writing successful novels. They became close friends, and Cain was introduced by Raphaelson into a Hollywood crowd that eventually resulted in his third marriage, to actress Aileen Pringle. Raphaelson's first novel, about the neglected wife of a busy advertising executive. Basis for the 1941 Mark Dansdrich film featuring Claudette Colbert, Ray Milland, Brian Aherne, and Binnie Barnes. A very nice association. (Inventory #: 57366)