"Good God, I can't publish this," was the initial response of William Faulkner's publisher upon reading the manuscript of Sanctuary. Indeed, the novel was scandalously different from the author's previous works. It was intended, in Faulkner's own words, to "make money" which he badly needed to support his growing family. However, Faulkner's publisher changed his mind and by 1932 the public was avidly reading the bestselling tale of the reckless society girl named Temple Drake whose wild excesses eventually end in ruin.

Executives at Paramount Pictures bought the rights to the work in 1932 for the sum of $6,000. Social critics lodged protests against the venture from the beginning, but the story eventually made its way to the big screen one year later. Director Stephen Roberts and screenwriter Oliver Garrett had to walk a fine line to keep as close to Faulkner's story as possible while still pleasing the censors of the Motion Picture Production Code. The film actually ends with the redemption of Temple which does not occur in the book. Featured in the display are a rare pressbook from the 1933 movie and two promotional inserts.   [go to page 2 >>]