Macdonald, Ross. (Pseudonym of Kenneth Millar). IN THE FIRST PERSON: UNPUBLISHED TYPESCRIPT

95 pages, of the transcript of his 1970 filmed interview with Arthur M. Kaye. Macdonald's photocopied transcription, with his extensive corrections written out in both pen and pencil throughout.

This transcript is the only form in which the original interview survives and probably is the only copy in existence since, according to a letter from Kaye, "No original exists as we destroyed copies in order not to get mixed up."

The very earliest version of what -- after much cutting and rearranging by both Macdonald and Kaye -- became the script for the 20-minute documentary film, "Ross Macdonald: In The First Person," which was shown on public television in 1971 and not since. The original interview lasted several hours, ranged over a wider variety of topics, and included many trenchant digressions. In condensing the film to twenty minutes it is no exaggeration to state that the lion's share of this material ended up on the cutting room floor.

Also included are: (1) the 5-page original typescript of the transcript for the "2nd Session" of the interview (which was necessary to provide additional information not included in the first interview); (2) a 3-page carbon typescript for a sequence that features Macdonald reading from The Underground Man (not in either interview); (3) a 1970 TLS from Kaye to Macdonald (2 pages, outlining the terms for a contract between them); (4) Macdonald's copy of the 4-page "Letter of Agreement" (signed by both); (5) Macdonald's lawyer's analysis of that agreement (2-page TLS); and (6) a one-page amendment to the agreement that is signed by both Macdonald and Kay (original typescript).

Included with the written material is a 16mm color film print of the broadcast version of "Ross Macdonald: In The First Person" (fine in the original metal canister).

A short 8-page excerpt edited from the film was published inSelf-Portrait(Bruccoli A31) but most of this highly personal and revealing Macdonald manuscript, in which he talks about his family background, remains unpublished. Fine in the original envelope which is labelled in Macdonald's hand: "Davidson Film contract for 'R.M. In The First Person'.".