DS, three pages both sides, 8.5 x 11, March 2, 1950. Standard William Morris Agency management contract in which Monroe agrees to pay a commission of 10% of her earnings to the agency for a period of three years. Four agents, including Abe Lastfogel and Johnny Hyde, are designated as Monroe’s representatives on the fifth page, with their names still visible despite being whited-out. Beautifully signed at the conclusion in fountain pen by Monroe and countersigned by an agency representative. In fine condition, with expected document wear.
A monumental Hollywood document, this contract encompasses Marilyn Monroe's discovery and breakthrough. Johnny Hyde met Monroe in 1948 as her uneventful six-month contract with Columbia was expiring, and quickly became so enamored with the starlet that he left his wife for her, despite Monroe's repeated refusals to his propositions of marriage. Nevertheless, he became the most instrumental figure in advancing the success of her early career. He went about crafting Monroe's image as a sex symbol—in 1950, he paid for her to have minor plastic surgery to reshape her chin and nose to fit the female 'ideal'—and used his influence as a top Hollywood talent agent to secure small roles, the first of which was as Miss Casswell in All About Eve, which began production in April 1950, just a month after signing this contract. The acclaim that Monroe earned in this small role enabled Hyde to negotiate a seven-year contract for her with Fox, completing the deal shortly before his death in December 1950. As this contract bound her to the William Morris Agency for three years, it would have covered her rise to international stardom and many of her best films—Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and How to Marry a Millionaire were all released before this contract's expiration. Any sort of document directly related to Monroe’s career in Hollywood is supremely desirable, with this example particularly exceptional due to its association with Hyde and its very early date. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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