What Makes Sammy Run?

Collectible first edition, first printing of prominent American screenwriter, television producer, novelist and sports writer Budd Schulberg's breakout, debut novel, What Makes Sammy Run? Per Random House's practice of designating first editions in this era, "FIRST PRINTING" is so stated on copyright page. Bound in (1/3 upper) blue and (2/3 lower) dark blue cloth divided by a 1/8" wide gilt ruling that extends from front to back panel. (The color symbolism inescapably parallels Sammy's brighter rise and inevitable dark fall.) Gilt lettering and Random House logo to spine panel. Complete as issued with priced dust jacket in archival Brodart sleeve. Schulberg, later an Academy Award winning author for his screenplay of On the Waterfront and perhaps most famous for his line, "I coulda been a contender," here tells a tale of a fast-talking opportunist who claws his way from the slums of New York City to the top of Hollywood only to descend into the darkness of a tragic fall. The story questions the moral cost of extreme success and ambition. Sammy wins wealth and status, but loses his humanity and capacity for genuine love. Heavily inspired by the cutthroat studio culture which author Schulberg witnessed firsthand, elements of the main character were drawn from various early Hollywood figures. The book became an immediate national bestseller despite harsh protestations from Hollywood studio executives. Louis B. Mayer, for one, was outraged by its scathing portrayal of the movie industry and actively tried to suppress it with the predictable result of driving even higher sales across the country. 303 pp. 8 1/2" x 5 1/2". Tight, unmarked copy with minimal shelf wear and faint age toning to internals. Original dust jacket with $2.50 price to front flap. Significant 1" x 1" area of loss to head of dust jacket spine panel and smaller portion of front panel. (See attached image.) Moderate chipping to remaining edges. Both flaps complete with narrow area of darkening to folds. An unusually presentable copy in an acceptable, uncommon dust jacket. Photographs of or additional information about this item are available on request. All inquiries answered promptly.…