LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Oct. Sig. Entertainment Memorabilia #648  / 

22009

Warner Brothers Contracts with Marian Marsh, 193

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia Start Price:80.00 USD Estimated At:320.00 - 480.00 USD
Warner Brothers Contracts with Marian Marsh, 193
<B>Warner Brothers Contracts with Marian Marsh, 1930-1931, One Signed by Marsh and Jack L. Warner, Preceding and Following "Svengali".</B></I> Historic Hollywood contracts, related to a classic horror performance! Marian Marsh was acting under the name "Marilyn Morgan" and appearing in the play <I>Young Sinners</B></I> in Los Angeles when Warner Bros. signed her to a five-year contract in July of 1930. The studio promptly forgot about her until John Barrymore, about to star as <I>Svengali,</B></I> personally approved the 17-year old for the coveted role of Trilby. After Marian's success as the doomed heroine -- as well as her richly dramatic performance in <I>Five Star Final</B></I> -- Warners presented her with a new star contract, increasing her salary. This lot includes two copies of each contract. Both copies of the 17-page original are unsigned; one copy of the 16-page second contract has the signatures of J.L. Warner and Marian, who signed under her birth name of Violet Krauth. (As she was a minor at the time, her mother also signed.) The contracts detail her compensation, with many provisions (including the morals clause) and such stipulations as: "..in the event of her suffering any facial or physical disfigurement materially interfering with her ability to properly perform the required services.," Warners could suspend the contract. There is also a letter on Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. letterhead, dated June 18, 1931, related to Marian's salary during a contractual layoff period and signed by the actress on the "Accepted and Approved" line as "Marian Marsh." Additionally, a copy of the second contract comes with a letter from the Frank Joyce-Myron Selznick-Ltd. agency (with its original stamped envelope), dated March 4, 1933, noting the Depression "bank holiday" and sending Marian, at her request, the contract copy. Warners had dropped Marian by this time and she was freelancing. These documents survived over 70 years in Marian's possession, until her 2006 death, and while there's some minor tattering and staining, the items in the lot are in overall Very Fine condition. Marian's Trilby of <I>Svengali</B></I> is one of the most striking ladies of classic Hollywood horror, and this lot commemorates a fine actress and a magical performance. <I>From the Marian Marsh Archive.</B></I> <I>Accompanied by LOA from PSA/DNA.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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