IRMA LE DOUCE Original Broadway Script with Painted Cover.
New York: circa 1960. The original 1960 typescript for the David Merrick produced Broadway adaptation of the 1956 French play Irma Le Douce. This script was used by the Frangipane character, played by Stuart Davis, and bears many annotations. The script is likely mimeographed, about 150 leaves, and is housed in its original spiral notebook with a brown paper cover painted with the caricature of Irma le Douce in white, green and with a skirt made of newspaper (see note). Overall 11 1/2 x 9 inches (30 x 23 cm). Some wear and stains to first and last leaves and edges, short tears to the paper covers.

Irma Le Douce is the story of unrequited love between a vivacious Parisian prostitute and a young law student who disguises himself as a rich older man to win her charms. The ruse becomes too much to manage and he kills off his alter ego, landing himself in prison, from which he escapes and reunites with Irma. The cover illustration here is a very close copy of the original illustration that appeared on the record sleeve of the 1960 cast recording and the theatre marquis. The Broadway production was nominated for several Tony awards and Elizabeth Seal won best performance for her role of Irma. Following on this success, Irma Le Douce was made into the popular 1963 Billy Wilder film of the same name starring Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine.

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