APRIL 1 "THE BEST DEAL...OR NOT?"
Back in 1931, Irving Thalberg of MGM decided he wanted to
buy the film rights to Tarzan, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs. So Thalberg
sent Sam Marx to negotiate with Burroughs, telling Marx not to spend more than
$100,000, an extraordinarily large sum in those days. Marx contacted Burroughs
and asked how much he wanted for the film rights. "$100,000," said
Burroughs. When Marx offered him $25,000, Burroughs walked out of the meeting.
However, Marx and Burroughs continued to negotiate throughout the summer. Burroughs
eventually settled for $40,000. After signing the contract, Burroughs admitted
that he had wanted MGM and Thalberg to make the picture so badly, they could
have had it for nothing if they had insisted. "Mr. Burroughs,"
replied Marx, "If you had held out, you would have gotten $100,000!"
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