ABBOTT & COSTELLO (LOU COSTELLO) - DOCUMENT SIGNED 01/26/1953 - HFSID 177689

ABBOTT & COSTELLO: LOU COSTELLO
Lou Costello signs a document along with a check paying his taxes.
Carbon Typed Document Signed: "Lou Costello" under "The above action is approved.", 1p, 8½x11. Los Angeles, California, 1953 January 26. On letterhead of the Law Offices of Irell & Manella to Director of Internal Revenue, Hollywood, California. Regarding Lou and Ann Costello. In full: "We enclose herein the following: 1. Check No. 191, dated January 26, 1953, made payable to the Director of Internal Revenue, in the amount of $11,421.74. Said check represents the net amount received by Lou Costello from Exclusive Productions, Inc. as compensation, after deduction of agent's commissions. 2. Check No. 192, dated January 26, 1953, made payable to the Director of Internal Revenue, in the amount of $1,127.45, representing percentage earnings of Lou Costello from Universal Pictures, Inc., on various shorts, after deduction of agent's commissions. 3. Check No. 193, dated January 26, 1953, made payable to the Director of Internal Revenue, in the amount of $4,442.60, representing the net amount received by Lou Costello from Exclusive Productions, Inc., as compensation, after deduction of agent's commissions. Would you please apply the total amount of all three checks, i.e. $16,991.79, as payment on account of Lou and Anne Costello's unpaid 1945-1946 income tax liability, Please acknowledge receipt of the enclosed by signing and returning to us the enclosed copy of this letter. Very truly yours," In the year he signed this document Costello appeared in two films, Abbott and Costello Go to Mars and Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. With partner BUD ABBOTT, LOU COSTELLO (1906-1959) formed one of the greatest comedy teams in the history of show business. They mastered the straight man/clown relationship, creating a magical chemistry that took them from vaudeville and burlesque to radio, Broadway, film and television. The Abbott & Costello Show aired on radio on ABC from 1941-1946 and on NBC from 1946-1949. Abbott and Costello were also guest hosts of NBC's hour-long live variety show, The Colgate Comedy Hour, seven times between 1951-1954. Their "Who's on First?" routine is enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Abbott and Costello split up in 1957 after troubles with the Internal Revenue Service left both men broke. On thin paper. Lightly creased with folds. Chipped at upper right and left edge. Two file holes at upper blank margin. Overall, fine condition.