Arts & Culture

William Faulkner’s Hollywood Odyssey

In 1932, a rising writer from Mississippi found himself amid the bright lights and dry heat of Tinseltown
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A vintage postcard of William Faulkner’s Hollywood apartment building.

A vintage postcard of William Faulkner’s Hollywood apartment building.

Faulkner (center) with Howard Hawks (left) and writer Steve Fisher.

Faulkner (center) with Howard Hawks (left) and writer Steve Fisher.

Photo: Courtesy of Robert Hamblin, Center for Faulkner Studies, Southeast Missouri State University

Faulkner and Meta Carpenter at her apartment building.

Faulkner and Meta Carpenter at her apartment building.

Photo: Meta Carpenter Wilde Collection, The University of Mississippi

A portrait Carpenter had made for Faulkner.

A portrait Carpenter had made for Faulkner.

Photo: Meta Carpenter Wilde Collection, The University of Mississippi

A letter from President Reagan to scholar Daniel Brodsky after he received a copy of Battle Cry.

A letter from President Reagan to scholar Daniel Brodsky after he received a copy of Battle Cry.

Photo: Courtesy Robert Hamblin, Center for Faulkner Studies, Southeast Missouri State University

A draft of Faulkner’s unproduced script, now housed in the Warner Bros. Archives.

A draft of Faulkner’s unproduced script, now housed in the Warner Bros. Archives.

Photo: Amy Dickerson

Outside the building where Faulkner’s office was located on the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank.

Outside the building where Faulkner’s office was located on the Warner Bros. studio lot in Burbank.

Photo: Amy Dickerson

Hotel Highland Towers, where Faulkner lived in the penthouse during his years in Hollywood.

Hotel Highland Towers, where Faulkner lived in the penthouse during his years in Hollywood.

Photo: Amy Dickerson

Inside Musso & Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard.

Inside Musso & Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard.

Photo: Amy Dickerson

Faulkner’s name tops the list of acclaimed Warner Bros. writers on a plaque outside the company’s Writers Building.

Faulkner’s name tops the list of acclaimed Warner Bros. writers on a plaque outside the company’s Writers Building.

Photo: Amy Dickerson

Files from the never-produced film Battle Cry, Faulkner's script intended to star Ronald Reagan.

William-Faulkner-Hollywood-Odyssey-Battle-Cry-box-11

Files from the never-produced film Battle Cry, Faulkner’s script intended to star Ronald Reagan.

Amy Dickerson