That is a powerful piece of writing right there. It's just more evidence of Chandler's ability as a writer; that he can skewer Hollywood so passionately in a letter! AS far as anecdotes about his and Wilder's working history you should look in the playboy interview-of course- but also the Paris Review interview which was pretty extensive on Wilder's writing habits. Thanks for the link.

Must be a really interesting experience to cowrite a script with someone you hate. Imagine clocking in right after they leave, reading their pages, and forcing yourself to admit that they just wrote something really good. I bet you could learn a lot from the experience, but I'm sure it'd be maddening.

Chandler didn't write many screenplays that is true but he still managed to become the highest paid scriptwriter in Hollywood in 1947. He came up with an original idea which he called PLAYBACK and his agent negotiated a stunning deal that saw him be paid a something like $4000 a week for it. He also would get a share of the profits if it were made. The movie didn't make it past the screenplay stage though due to the expense of the shoot and was canned. Chandler adapted the story for his 1958 novel of the same name.

I've not heard your anecdote about Wilder and Chandler splitting their day. Do you know where it comes from? You are right that they did not get on and Chandler wrote to the producer about Wilder complaining that he waved his cane to much and talked to girls to often.

Wilder thought that Chandler was back drinking at the time and this, in part, may explain why he was so angry at Wilder. He would write the final pages of the BLUE DAHLIA script in an alcoholic haze, living on drink and vitamin shots provided by a doctor, dictating scrip between black outs.

All in all, a pretty interesting movie career!