DS, signed “Eleanora Fagan,” 22 pages, 8.5 x 11, March 18, 1957. Agreement between Holiday (nee Eleanora Fagan) and producer Lester Cowan for her to “render her services as a singer, exclusively on behalf of producer, in the singing, rendition and recording of approximately twelve (12) musical compositions…in connection with the exercise of any rights which may be acquired in and to that certain book entitled ‘The Lady Sings the Blues’…written by Artist and William F. Dufty.” Holiday agrees to this in exchange for $25,000 in several installments, $50 per diem, and 50% of profits from the venture. Signed at the conclusion in blue ballpoint by Cowan and Holiday, using her proper name. In very good condition, with the final, signed page detached from the rest of the stapled document, scattered creases, toning, staple holes to the upper left corner, a few small edge tears to the signed page, and light overall light creases, toning, and office notations to the complete document.
Cowan had purchased the rights to Holiday’s 1956 autobiography, Lady Sings the Blues, shortly after its release, and set about planning its adaptation to the silver screen. He made a deal with United Artists, arranged for Anthony Mann to direct, and had his wife, noted jazz lyricist and composer Ann Ronnell, write four songs for Holiday to record especially for the film. There was some conflict regarding who would play Holiday—the popular choice was Dorothy Dandridge, but Cowan considered using a white actress for the part. Holiday was supposed to record the soundtrack for the film in Paris during the summer of 1958, but the session does not appear to have ever happened. Ultimately, Cowan’s film fell through—it was not until 1972 that a film based on Lady Sings the Blues came to fruition, directed by Sideny J. Furie and starring Diana Ross as Holiday. Pre-certified Roger Epperson/REAL and RR Auction COA.
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