Her first motion-picture contract - photo 1
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Her first motion-picture contract

Lot 352
19.10.2023 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Starting price
$ 20 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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Archive
ID 1033013
Lot 352 | Her first motion-picture contract
Estimate value
$ 25 000 – 35 000
MONROE, Marilyn (1926-1962). Document signed ("Norma Jean Dougherty") Los Angeles, 25 July 1946.

Four pages, 280 x 215mm, additionally signed by Twentieth Century-Fox General Manager Lew SCHREIBER (1900-1961 "Lew Schreiber") as well as her legal guardian, Grace McKee GODDARD (1895-1953, "Grace McKee") and notary June Downey. (Each page affixed to a similarly-sized sheets of card stock.)

A twenty year-old Marilyn Monroe signs her first contract with Twentieth Century-Fox. Already enjoying some success as a model, the ambitious Norma Jean Dougherty set her sights on an acting career, signing with agent Harry Lipton, then with National Concert & Artists Corporation (NCAC) in June 1946. Following a unsuccessful interview at Paramount, Fox executive, Ben Lyon arranged for a silent screen test on 19 July 1946 which resulted in Lyon recommending that the studio offer her an option agreement for a film and sound test. The present document was executed at the close of July 1946, and bound the studio to conduct a screen test within 45 days of the agreement with an additional 10 days from the date of the screen test to offer a contract (or not). That screen test occurred on 14 August, and although Fox chief Darryl Zanuck was unenthusiastic with the results, he decided to offer her a six-month contract in order to prevent her from signing with rival RKO. On 24 August, she signed a six month agreement with Twentieth Century-Fox. With the assistance of Ben Lyon, she would soon choose her stage name. "Marilyn" had been suggested by Lyon as it reminded him of Marilyn Miller, and Norma Jean chose "Monroe," her mother's maiden name. The contract is signed additionally by her on again, off again, legal guardian Grace McKee Goddard, who is considered largely responsible for pushing the young Norma Jean into her career trajectory. Monroe spent the term of her first contract honing her acting, singing and acting skills while learning about the process of film making. Twentieth Century-Fox renewed the contract in February 1947 and it was during that term that she appeared in her first films, being small roles in Dangerous Years (1947) and Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! (1948). Twentieth Century-Fox declined to renew her contract in August 1947, and after some time working odd jobs and appearing in a minor theatrical role, she signed with Columbia.

[With:] PATTON, Robert H. Document signed (by a secretary), Los Angeles, [24 August 1946]. Two pages. A petition to the Superior Court for the State of California for the approval if her second contract with Twentieth Century-Fox following her screen test as Dougherty was a minor at the time of signing.
Artist:Marilyn Monroe (1926 - 1962)
Place of origin:USA
Auction house category:Letters, documents and manuscripts
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
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