The Eternal Sea [The Admiral Hoskins Story] (Original screenplay for the 1955 film)

Los Angeles: Republic Pictures, 1954. Final shooting script for the 1954 film. Manuscript annotations on the front wrapper reading "Revisions / Blue 9-28-54" and "part of 'Admiral John Hoskins.'"

One of Republic's most elaborate productions of the 1950s, "The Eternal Sea" is the biography of American admiral John M. Hoskins. Sterling Hayden delivers a superbly understated performance as Hoskins, who continued to serve throughout WW2 despite the loss of a leg in the early phases of the conflict. The admiral's farsighted activities as commander of the aircraft carrier Princeton led to the development of the more sophisticated jet-aircraft carriers (truncated) of the Korean War. The well-chosen supporting cast includes Alexis Smith as Hoskin's wife Sue, Dean Jagger as Admiral Thomas L. Semple, Morris Ankrum as Adm. Arthur Dewey Struble, and John Maxwell as Adm. William "Bull" Halsey (whose life story would serve as the basis for the 1960 film The Gallant Hours). Elmer Bernstein's soaring musical score is the icing on the cake.

Pink titled wrappers, noted as Final Shooting on the front wrapper, rubber-stamped production No. 20044, dated September 1, 1954, with credits for screenwriter Rivkin, for director Auer, and for writer Haines. 116 leaves, mimeograph duplication, with blue revision pages throughout, dated 9-28-54. Pages Very Good, wrapper Very Good, some short closed tears and creasing at the corners, bound with two gold brads. (Inventory #: 128682)