Description
Kubrick, Stanley (1928 – 1999)
Kubrick, ‘completely wrapped up’ with a project, apologises in a moving car
A very rare two-page (one sheet, both sides) autograph letter signed by Stanley Kubrick, February 19th 1990, on his headed paper.
Marked ‘Private’, the director writes to Mr. Cramer, opening, ‘Tony Frewin [Kubrick’s assistant] relayed to me his conversation with you and I hasten to assure you no slight was intended asking him to phone you.’ He goes on, ‘I have been totally involved for the past 3 weeks with a matter which saken [sic] all of my time and kept me out of the office. I received your note about Feb 9 and I began to feel guilty not replying. That’s why I asked Tony to phone you. As it is , this is written in a moving car in order to get it to you quickly. Unfortunately, I am still completely wrapped up with what I have been working on, and I don’t see how I can be of any help to you. Anyway, each film distributor will decide about their own films and I don’t see how you can avoid dealing with them.’ Kubrick concludes, ‘Sorry all this catches me at such a bad time but I certainly wish you good luck with your film programme which consists of such an admirable choice of films. It’s too bad there isn’t a cinema near St. Albans to play films of that quality the year around. Best regards, Stanley Kubrick.’
Light folds, otherwise in very fine condition. The first handwritten letter we have offered by Kubrick.
Together with a carbon copy of Kubrick’s correspondent’s letter to the director dated February 8th 1990, to which Kubrick refers. Roger Cramer writes in his capacity as manager of St. Alban’s City Hall, planning a season of films to include various of Kubrick’s best known titles.
In 1990, Kubrick was between projects. Full Metal Jacket was released in 1987. His next film was Eyes Wide Shut, which was not released until 1999, though Kubrick was already in an early development phase for this project at the time that this letter was written, and presumably this is the project he refers to.