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S

COLUMBIA PICTURES CORPORATION
1438 NO. GOWER STREET
HOLLYWOOD 28, CALIFORNIA
HUDSON 2-311

March 29, 1957

Dear Art, 

As you know, I have been preparing a production of a motion picture with a Mexican aviation background. I am pleased at your reaction to Arthur Lauring's treatment of this screenplay. 

I have thought very seriously about a tie-in with C.M.A. and find this a very attractive idea; and if your associates in Mexico City would be interested in sharing in the profits of such a venture, it will be to the advantage of all parties concerned.

As you know, I have devoted time and expense to the preliminary preparation of this production. Reaction to this enterprise has been enthusiastic thus far, and I believe this picture will be not only a highly dramatic and entertaining film, but also a very sound and profitable undertaking. This is also the reaction of others who have read our outline.

If your associates in Mexico city feel the same way about this project, and if they will advance a sum of $25,000 for additional pre-production expenses and make equipment of C.M.A. available, I will go in on a straight 50-50 partnership for this one picture. This is what they might expect from such an arrangement:

When the final draft screenplay is finished, a tie-in will be made with a prominent star, possibly Robert Mitchum, in this case. The picture would then be financed and distributed by a major studio. It may be Columbia Pictures--though I think we can make a better financial agreement with an organization like United Artists.