The New York Times reports that in September Harvey Weinstein will release one of his film company’s “unlikeliest projects ever.”
“Salinger” — 9 years in the making — is a documentary about a very famous American writer.
JD Salinger
But, the Times says, J.D. Salinger’s reclusiveness makes marketing the film difficult. Not only was the author — who died in 2010 — not involved in the film; neither was his son, nor the few members of a small circle of friends.
“Mr. Weinstein indicated that the secrets will be part of the fun as he and his company forge a strategy for selling ‘Salinger’ to the masses,” the Times reports.
So the “06880” question of the day is this: Does the film that Westporter Harvey Weinstein is releasing contain any information about Salinger’s 2 or 3 years in Westport?
He came here in 1949 or ’50 — details are sketchy. But according to the Times — and reported on “06880” the day he died — Salinger “holed up in a house on South Compo Road” in 1950 to write Catcher in the Rye.
Does Westport make it into “Salinger”? Because Salinger certainly made it to Westport.
Now I know why Weinstein likes Obama so much, he likes reclusive people.
I am not sure how you equate our President with Salinger in regards to character traits of reclusion? Perhaps you would prefer him to pose on an aircraft carrier with a borrowed flight suit and a premature banner of “Mission Accomplished” at his back?
“Down at the Dinghy” and “Uncle Wiggly in CT” were written during Salinger’s stay in Westport. Staples students are usually aware that the pond mentioned in DATD is Nashes Pond.
Wiggly and Dinghy were published as short stories in 1948, 1949 respectively, before Salinger moved to Westport in 1951.
Actually, J.D. stayed in a rental house on Old Road, with his dog “Ben”, in 1952 to write “Catcher in the Rye.” Despite his reputation, Salinger was not a recluse in his eventual home town of Cornish, New Hampshire. He often attended town functions. He was hurt by his tutoring of several high school students who turned his teachings into an interview with the local paper. As a result (and to the grateful townsfolk), he bought 43 acres that surrounded his homestead and sheltering him from most outsiders. Salinger was a war hero, fought at Normandy and subsequent battles, and may have endured post stress syndrome most of his later life. He wrote every day, however, but only published one novel (which he forbade the publisher from putting a picture of himself on the cover).
That one novel is, of course, “Catcher.” His publisher, Little Brown, did issue a small number of dust jackets with Salinger’s photo on the rear panel. First editions with this original jacket are worth thousands of dollars. (Time for 06880 readers to check their copies?)
P.S. Disturbing how some folks give every 06880 posting a political twist!