"Do you know how many people I know?"
Autograph Letter Signed to a Film Executive at Columbia Pictures
Publication: 1988.
Notes: The acclaimed director writes to one of the people coordinating publicity for his second film, School Daze. A screening was scheduled for February 8, with an afterparty at the nightclub 1018.
The entirely handwritten letter on letterhead from Lee's production company, 40 Acres and a Mule, reads:
"Enclosed is a revised copy [not present] of the celebrity list for the 8th screening. Mark, I have serious problems with 800 people for the party. 1018 has a capacity for 2,000 people. Do you know how many people I know? Everybody can't get into the screening so I would like people at least to get to PARTY. Also we have our own DJ and MC, DJ REGGIE WELLS and DJ KC. 1018 should be made aware of this. Thanks. Spike Lee." The letter is dated January 12, 1988, about a month before the movie's official premiere.
Lee was the youngest person to receive an honorary Oscar; he also won the Academy Award for his screenplay BlacKkKlansman. The recipieint, Mark Urman (1952–2019), was a producer and an executive at Columbia Pictures, which distributed School Daze.
One page, 8-1/2 by 11 inches.
SOURCE: A long-time New York-based film reporter who retired to Portland.
Edition + Condition: Folded twice for mailing, with a few small stains. Autograph letters from Spike Lee are scarce on the market.
Item No: #364219
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