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TLS signed “D. E.,” two pages, 7 x 10.5, personal letterhead, February 12, 1962. Letter to Oscar-nominated actor Robert Montgomery, in full: “I have read over the contract concerning the making of the Lincoln picture. John tells me that both you and NBC feel that 1 have made a firm commitment to go through with the affair in the event that my part of it was clearly understood and other features of the contract were satisfactory. While I had thought I had limited my commitment to a matter of 'I shall think it over and give you an answer after I know more about the details', I certainly don't want to be in a position of appearing to run out on my word. There are, however, several questions that I have and the first one is rather important to me.
1. To what extent do I have to appear in the picture and what is the amount of narration that I would have to do within range of the camera?
The reason for this question is that it brings up the matter of the amount of time I would have to give to the preparation for my appearance. I do not want to be in a position of having to memorize any 'part' beyond the extent of two or three brief sentences. This would mean that my narration would have to be off camera so that I might read the text. In my former experience what I assumed to be a two to two and a half hour chore stretched out finally to several days, of several hours each day, so naturally I am concerned.
2. Another and related question is the number of conferences or takes or rehearsals that might be involved. If too much of my time is involved, then I do not see how I could possibly go through with the project.
3. My third question is with respect to runs and re-runs. Is there an obligation on the part of NBC to tell me when a run or re-run is about to be carried out?
If NBC can give you a satisfactory letter in answer to these three questions – such a letter in effect being an explanation of the first one – I shall go ahead and sign, but must insist that the phrase reading 'will be commenced on a date convenient to you (meaning me) after April 15, 1962' means exactly what it says. I should think that under our present plans it would be unlikely that I could start before somewhere around May 15. I could, of course, have sent this letter directly to NBC (since I know you are on vacation) but I could not be certain of the spelling of the man's name whose signature appears at the bottom of the letter.” In fine condition, with a light paperclip impression to the top edge.
A popular and successful screen star, Montgomery also served as president of New York's Lincoln Center Repertory Theatre and as a trustee of the National Citizens Committee for Broadcasting, which supported an expanded public broadcasting system. He occasionally advised Eisenhower on projects involving broadcast productions, in this case, a half-hour program entitled Presidents on Presidents: Eisenhower on Lincoln, for which Eisenhower was to be narrator and moderator. A May 23rd revision of the January 31st contract referred to at the beginning of our letter was subsequently approved and signed by the former president.
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