Tonight You Sleep

Typed memo and synopsis regarding Tonight You Sleep. Universal City: Universal Studios, 1969-1970. Three typed memos regarding the proposed television production of Tonight You Sleep by William Hersey.

Some extracts: 'Unless it turns out to be too shocking for network nerves (it has a scene or two reminiscent of the horrors in PSYCHO), this better-than-average character melodrama in the tradition of GASLIGHT and LADIES IN RETIREMENT looks like a good candidate for World Premiere ... The leads are two top acting parts: somebody like Katharine Ross for Ester, and the older, crazed Amanda could be played to the hilt by Ida Lupino.' (Coles Trapnell to Charles Engell on April 1, 1969); 'This property is owned by Martin Cohen, who will produce and direct. I As I explained on the telephone, the cast will consist of Joan Crawford with Lois Nettleton and Albert Salmi or Joe Campanella. Mr. Cohen can deliver this picture on a negative pickup basis for $300,000.00.' (Paul Laserman to George Santora on December 7, 1970); 'This project, with the suggested cast, produced at a figure of $300,000, would seem to be a good investment for us, although I worry about NBC going along with us in the horror department. The final scenes, in order to be effective, need the sort of shock value that was so successful in "WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE" and most recently, "THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMMAGE". But assuming we can overcome those problems, (think we have a good strong basis for a strong, curdling shocker. The script, however, needs a strong polish with motivations clarified, and a twist or two for the final curtain.' (Paul Mason to George Santoro on December 15, 1970). Attached to the memos is an l page synopsis of Tonight You Sleep (dated February 10, 1969, but which, to the best of our knowledge, was unproduced).