Herbert B. Leonard: Producer NAKED CITY. Personal Collection of 16 Bound Volumes of Scripts, Numerous Revised Pages 1958-1963 (1922-2006) Herbert B. Leonard was a producer and writer during the explosion of dramatic television in the late 1950s into the early 60's as well as a production manager for Screen Gems for a number of years. He is remembered for two landmark television series, NAKED CITY and ROUTE 66 with both revolutionizing the semi-anthology format by building stories based on guest characters that were new with each episode rather than only the regular cast establishing a format that has existed now for 60 years.
"There are eight million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them."NAKED CITY had 4 seasons with a total of 139 episodes and is still considered one of television's top crime procedurals. It was inspired by the Academy Award winning, 1948 film, THE NAKED CITY by blacklisted director, Jules Dassin. In the first season, the primary writer was Stirling Silliphant (who penned 32 of the 39 first season's episodes) which garnered widespread critical acclaim. Silliphant is famously quoted as saying some of his scripts for NAKED CITY were better than his script for IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT for which he won an Academy Award. Further it attracted young as well as experienced actors to seek roles in the series. Another win was its location shooting throughout New York City including most the boroughs and areas of Manhattan.
In spite of the critical acclaim, ABC decided to cancel the series (which were only 30 minute episodes). The show's main sponsor, VICEROY cigarettes lobbied,as well as lead production staff, to keep the series running. In 1960 it returned with hour long episodes with only a few contributions from Silliphant who was the lead writer for ROUTE 66.
What may be NAKED CITY'S most lasting legacy is the number of guest actors who enjoyed or went on to have very successful careers: Robert Redford, Dustin Hoffman, Gene Hackman, Jon Voight, Robert Duvall, Godfrey Cambridge, Dennis Hopper, William Shatner, Alan Alda, Carroll O'Connor, James Coburn, Maureen Stapleton, Jean Stapleton, Keir Dullea, Diane Ladd, Suzanne Pleshette, Diana Douglas, Eli Wallach, Burt Reynolds, Christopher Walkin and even Rocky Graziano.
Herbert B. Leonard's personal library of scripts from his series are contained in 16 Bound Volumes. The scripts were bound by California Bookbinding in Hollywood all in white leatherette. The amount of scripts in each volume vary. Title pages for each volume lay out the names of the scripts included. Some sun toning on bindings, but the volumes are stout and in no way separating from the spines. These volumes were well archived.
A rare opportunity for any collector or institution specializing in early television and the legends behind them. Herbert B. Leonard was one such legend.
Estimated Value $4,000 - 6,000
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