Estate / Collection: Estate of Martin Starger

PETER BOGDANOVICH

A long letter to Martin Starger regarding the use of Bruce Springsteen in Mask. [No place:] 26 December [1984]. A seven-page autograph letter signed on seven sheets of legal length yellow lined paper, 14 x 8 1/2 inches. Central fold, else fine.

A long and revealing letter from legendary director and producer Peter Bogdanovich to Martin Starger regarding the production and music for their nearly completed film, the challenging story of a young man with the rare disorder commonly called lionitis, Mask starring Eric Stoltz, Cher, Laura Dern, and Sam Elliott. Penned during his Christmas vacation, Bogdanovich here "jot[s] down some casual notes on where I think we are with Mask to this date, 1984." Section 1 of the letter regards the print, with the director pointing out scenes he thinks are too brightly lit, and section 2 the sound about which Bogdanovich has similar suggestions. But part 3 is about the music and Bogdanovich prefaces this long discussion with "If Sid is the godfather of this project and you are the father of it - I'm the mother in this case and I've carried the kid around and wiped its nose and coaxed and fought. That's why you hired me - because you wanted my vision of this film..." He continues describing an argument between them regarding aspects of the film and how it came from place of devotion to getting it right - but there remains the "music problem." A licensing issue had emerged rendering songs by Bruce Springsteen intended for the film could not be used and the music would be replaced by Bob Seger, seen to many as trading down. In fact, Bogdanovich points out that "Eric Stoltz said he would be happy to contribute whatever he could financially ... [as] this music had been integral to the scenes..." He continues that "I know Uncle Frank [this Universal Studio chief Frank Price] doesn't like me and didn't want me on the picture. Well, he also didn't want Cher. And made me test her. Which was a calculated insult ... The extraordinary possibilities for Mask with the Springsteen music (it can do very well also without it but not nearly as well) worries Uncle Frank about this baby he did not want to nurse ... The man who didn't want Bogdanovich or Cher or care enough to spend a few bucks on Springsteen: the bigger the hit Mask becomes, the more of an ass becomes Mr. Price."

The ranting letter turns towards its conclusion with "I am trying to protect my interest, small though it may be. I want this to be as big as E.T. or Star Wars ... Springsteen beat out Michael Jackson for Christ's sake ... you will be very thankful Springsteen is in the movie one year from today - you will be ecstatic." Clearly, Bogdanovich fought extremely hard to keep Springsteen's songs in the movie but to no avail; it was released with Seger's songs, went on to win the Academy Award for Best Makeup among other nominations, but did not achieve the critical and cultural success anticipated by the director. A 2004 Director's Cut of the film restored the version with Springsteen's songs but has not been widely seen. This letter offers rare insights into the mind of this great 20th century director and the challenges of producing top films in the 1980s.