$4,688
Contract with MGM dated May 3, 1935, the contract states his wages over a period of five years with a rider allowing him to take a lay-off or suspension of the agreement permitting him to appear on stage, signed by James Stewart and a vice president for MGM Studios. Contract framed together with an original drawing of Harvey the nine foot invisible rabbit, the best friend of eccentric dreamer Elwood P. Dowd played by Stewart on stage and screen. Marker drawing on pale blue paper titled lower left "Harvey" and signed lower right "James Stewart." An MGM agent saw Jimmy Stewart and secured a contract for him for hte film "Murder Man". However, he hadn't read the script. Jimmy Steward was 6'4" tall and the role was for a newspaper reporter named Shorty, which wasn't meant to be ironic. The script describes the reporter as "nub of a man." The agent felt this could be easily resolved by calling the character "skinny." The producer, infuriated by this, asked L.B. Mayer to fire the agent and cancel Jimmy's contract. The persistent agent convinced the producer to try Jimmy out on one day's shooting and review the rushes. The producer decided to keep the casting agent and the new hire. The film was released in July, 1935. PROVENANCE: Lots 97 and 98, Sotheby's Collector's Carrousel Sale No. 7244, December 18, 1998. Categories:
Auctioneer:
Juliens Auctions
Date:
2008-06-21
