When Huston received his long-gestating adaptation of “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre” underway, he wrote to the supply novel’s writer to let him know in regards to the upcoming film, and {that a} good portion of it will be shot in his adopted homeland. Little or no was recognized about Traven, aside from he wrote his novels in German and he had lived for a few years in Mexico, which offered the backdrop for a lot of his fiction.
After a spell in New York directing a play, Huston returned to Hollywood to discover a letter from Traven ready for him. Over many pages, the author gave options on how Huston would possibly shoot the movie, together with lighting, location, and units. With filming set for early 1947, Huston wrote again requesting an interview. He obtained the elusive response (by way of John Huston: A Biography):
“I can assure nothing, but when you’ll come to the Lodge Reforma, in Mexico Metropolis, in early January, I’ll attempt to meet you there. I make no guarantees.”
Huston determined to offer it a shot and flew right down to the Mexican capital. He waited on the lodge, however there was no signal of Traven. Simply as he was about to fly again, he was approached by a skinny man figuring out himself as Hal Croves, a translator from Acapulco. Traven was unable to make it, however a type-written observe mentioned that Croves was licensed to debate his novel in each element.
Hughes signed him up as a technical adviser and, when he returned with the forged and crew, Croves was raring to go, serving to with translation and advising on gold panning strategies. Regardless of his enthusiasm, Croves was very cautious of cameras, main Huston to suspect that he was actually the mysterious writer himself.
