Dating: In June of 1945, Pan-American Films first contacted Steinbeck about writing a screenplay based on Emiliano Zapata. In the fall of 1948, following a trip to Mexico with Kazan, he wrote this long introduction "as a way of sinking into the material." (Cf. Parini, p. 293 and p. 329) In the fall of 1949, he sent the material to the producer Darryl F. Zanuck (cf. Morsberger, p. 8).
Marked "First draft."
Part of a large collection of introductory and background material related to the film Viva Zapata!, which was produced by Twentieth Century-Fox in 1952.
With some pencil revisions throughout.
Outlining Mexican history through the revolution to 1919 and describing in detail the people and customs of the state of Morelos. Discussing the type of screenplay he would like to write about Emiliano Zapata, noting "I should like to make him a real and living man, and to have his relationships warm; but at the same time, I should like to lift him above the real and the exact, since that is the way hie is considered in his own country now." Recommending that the film be shot on location in Mexico, discussing the difficulties that American production companies have when producing films in Mexico, and suggesting Oscar Danziger (i.e., Dancigers) as a "Front-production man." Remarking that "Kazan and I see eye to eye on this picture" and stating that the only actor who could play Zapata "with veracity and integrity and beliveableness" is Pedro Armindades (i.e., Armendáriz).