Philip Van Doren Stern

[dormouse1953]

There's this thing where you come across a reference to a word or thing you've never heard of before, and suddenly your seeing references everywhere.

Last month I was reading a biography of Robert E. Lee, written by his nephew Fitzhugh Lee.  I was mentioning this to people at Novacon because the book had a 1961 copyright date despite Fitzhugh Lee dying in 1905.  I presume the date refers to the introduction to that edition, written by one Philip Van Doren Stern.

A couple of weeks later, I read a newspaper article which mentioned this person.  He was mainly known as an historian, especially of the American Civil War, but in 1939 he had the idea for a story in a dream which he finally completed in 1943.  Unable to find a publisher, he had copies of this story, The Greatest Gift, printed as a Christmas card and sent it to his friends.  It found its way to a film producer.  Cary Grant saw it and wanted to appear in a film version, but that fell through.  Then it came to the attention of Frank Capra who cast James Stewart in the lead and called it It's a Wonderful Life.

I've just been watching the Christmas special episode of Warehouse 13.  I'd guessed from the synopsis of the story - Pete finds himself in a world where he never existed - that it was going to based on It's a Wonderful Life.  Then Artie explains why this has happened.  Pete touched a brush that belonged to - Philip Van Doren Stern.

Comments

[were-gopher.livejournal.com]

Funny you should mention him. I've an anthology he edited slowly rising to the top of the reading pile and likely to be promoted once I finish the novels I've got out the library because I like short spooky stories this time of year.

http://www.librarything.com/work/7624522/book/72972330