W.C. FIELDS Original Prohibition-era W.C. Fields comedy sketch. Manuscript Comedy Sketch titled and signed: "One of the six best Cellars/By/W.C. Fields", 13¼p, 6x8¼, separate sheets. No place, no date. The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect on January 16, 1920. As of that date, "the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited." Prohibition is the topic of this comedy sketch, One of the Six Best Cellars, which is written with a bit of satire. The phrase "six best cellars" was an expression first used in 1920 referring to the best hideaways where liquor was stored during Prohibition. The phrase was used in a "Los Angeles Herald" story on December 8, 1920 stating that actress Mabel Normand, known to be a heavy drinker, had one of the "six best cellars" of Prohibition liquor in the Hollywood film colony. Although not dated, this comedy sketch was likely written during the Prohibition era. In the early 1920s Fields wrote many comedy sketches while performing in New York's vaudeville, most notably in the Ziegfeld Follies read more...

W. C. FIELDS and FLO ZIEGFELD Both sign a contract for Fields' appearance in the play "J. P. McEvoy's Comic Supplement". Not a standard form contract, this one has been written with Fields in mind. Contract signed: "Flo Ziegfeld", "W. C. Fields", 4 pages, 7¼x10½. Also initialed by both at a minor correction: "F.Z.", "W. C. F." New Amsterdam Theatre, New York, N.Y., 1924 November 10. On Ziegfeld's personal letterhead, Fields signs his acceptance of a commitment to appear in a play bearing the temporary title "J. P. McEvoy's Comic Supplement," to be produced on or before January 15, 1925. Fields is guaranteed top billing in the play credits and all advertising, and will receive $1, 750 per week for the full run of the play. He must attend five weeks of rehearsals without compensation. Clause 5 is of special interest: "You agree to get in touch promptly after the execution of this agreement with the author of this play, Mr. McAvoy and to aid and facilitate him and co-operate with him in every matter to the end that the parts to be assigned to you shall be adapted to your special talents and ability. You agree to render such services without any additional compensation. read more...

W. C. FIELDS Three-page autograph letter to his mistress Carlotta Monti, signed by Fields as "Continental Claude", calling Hitler "full of mierda" and confiding, "like the three monkeys I see nothing, know nothing, and won't drink anything 'cept Beer." Autograph Letter signed: "Continental Claude", 3 pages, 8½x11. Bel Air, Labor Day. To "Katrinka & Claudia". ["Katrinka" was Fields' pet name for Carlotta Monti.] In full: "I suppose you are wondering why you have not received your packard as yet. And telling your friends I am not a man of my word. Give me time and I can explain anything. Practically all nations will be in the war by the time this missive arrives. But you, unfortunately for yourself contended the whole world would be at war. It was then I accepted your wager 'I'll bet you the whole world will be at war by 1940. If not you give me a packard.' It was a bet made in all fairness. I forget what I was to receive had you lost. However all is fair in something or other and war. I will pay off if it becomes real serious. I firmly believe it will be of short duration, in which case you will receive a small packard. read more...

W. C. FIELDS and FLO ZIEGFELD Both sign and initial a typed documentary letter (1924) extending Fields' contractual obligation to a Ziegfeld production. Documentary Letter signed: "W. C. Fields", "F. Ziegfeld, Jr." , 1 page, 7¼x10½. New York City, 1924 November 12. On Ziegfeld's New Amsterdam Theatre letterhead to W. C. Fields, New York City. Both have initialed a one-line ink addition in Ziegfeld's hand. Noting that Fields' current Equity Run-of-the-Play Contract for J. P. McEvoy's "Comic Supplement" expires on June 1, 1925, Fields agrees to extend his commitment after that date at the rate of $1,750 per week, provided that Fields is successful through the Actors Equity Association in getting released from a conflicting commitment with Phillip Goodman. Fields' weekly salary is to rise to $2,000 per week if "Comic Supplement" should continue running into 1926. Red-nosed, gravel-voiced, bottle-hitting American comedian W. C. FIELDS (1880-1946), born William Claude Dukenfield, began his career in silents, later excelling in such films as David Copperfield (as Micawber), My Little Chickadee (with Mae West) and The Bank Dick read more...

HATTIE McDANIEL and DANIEL T. O'SHEA The year the famous actress won her Academy Award for Selznick's Gone With the Wind, the first Black American to win an Oscar signs an agreement to work for Selznick International Pictures in 1940 with options through 1946. Partly Printed Contract signed: "Hattie McDaniel", 22p, 8½x11. Culver City, California, 1939 December 30. Countersigned: "Daniel T. O'Shea" as Producer. In part: "Subject: Producer employs Artist to render her services exclusively to Producer as an actress, performer, or entertainer in motion picture photoplays, television, and to make radiobroadcasts and personal appearances when, where and as requested by Producer. Term: From: January 1, 1940 (20 week guarantee) To: June 30, 1940. Compensation: $500.00 per week (20 week guarantee)…." Eight options after the principal six month period ends are listed, raising McDaniel's salary to $550 per week to the end of 1940 with consecutive annual raises which would reach $1500 per week if she worked for Selznick through 1946. read more...

AUDIE MURPHY The Hollywood actor and World War II hero's lieutenant's hat, a lobby card for his film Battle at Bloody Beach and a signed document. Comprises: (1) Dark green officer's hat. The wool hat with black and gold piping bears a silver first lieutenant's bar pinned at front. When flattened, the hat measures 10x5. Fine condition. With color copy (on 8½x11 sheet) of the original signed card indicating that "Lt. Audie Murphy, U.S.A." donated this hat to the "Navy Relief Fund Auction". These auctions, held for the benefit of Navy veterans, were first held in 1944. Heavily creased. (2) Original unsigned color lobby card, color, 14x11. Battle at Bloody Beach stars Audie Murphy (pictured) as Craig Benson, a civilian working for the Navy helping supply guerilla insurgents in the Philippines in WWII. His sole motive is to find his bride from whom he was separated during the Japanese invasion two years earlier. Lightly creased at lower margin. Lightly soiled and stained. Ink and pencil notes (unknown hand) on verso (no show through). (3) Document Signed: "Audie/Murphy", 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1969 June 19. In part: " read more...

W.C. FIELDS The legendary comedian pens this letter to his mistress Carlotta in 1941 Autograph Letter signed: “W.” in black ink, 1p front and verso, 8x10½. Saturday, Bel Air. Original mailing envelope included. Addressed to “Miss Carlotta Douglas/ Hotel Paso del Norte/ El Paso/ Texas” on W.C. Fields' personalized envelope. Postmarked Los Angeles, California, December 3, 1941. To “Dear Carlotta”. In part: “I recd. your curt wire some weeks ago, saying send me $1000.00. You made no mention of the book Shoes of Happiness I had sent you several weeks previous nor made any comment on the article 'Sing Sucker Sing.' Ignored everything. It felt to me as though you had one of those real intelligent palsie walsies with you and you were going to show them the way you did things. Consequently I ignored it. I had a phone message from Weikert saying the case had been postponed until late in June and that he had, had word from you that you would be present for the trial. I shouldn't say trial. It will be the same sort of affair as the last one no press permitted. read more...

W. C. FIELDS 11x14 sepia photo of Fields in the stage version of his skit, "The Caledonian Express," signed and inscribed to author and publisher Arthur Samuels. Field's inscription includes one of his famous lines from the stage and screen skit: "You'll ha to git oot/o' the compartment." Oversized Photograph inscribed and signed: "To My friend/Arthur -you'll ha to git oot/o' the compartment,/from his friend/Bill Fields/Oct 11 - 1928." Sepia, 11x14. Remarkable studio portrait inscribed to Arthur Samuels, who was involved with the publishing of "Ladies Home Journal" and authored Poppy. Half-view left profile by Hal Phype. Fields has quoted one of his lines from the Earl Carroll's Vanities sketch "The Caledonian Express" (1928), in which the legendary comedian played four Scottish characters trying to remove an uninvited guest from a train compartment. Fields repeated the skit in the film Follow the Boys (1945), but that time played the intruder. Samuels' Poppy made Fields a Broadway star in 1923, and he reprised the role in two film versions. Surface creases at upper right corner with fraying at that corner, else fine, handsome and rare. read more...

JOHN WAYNE The last cowboy hat he wore on the screen Ephemera unsigned. Tan American Eagle Outfitters "Resistol 'Self-Comforting" cowboy hat, approximately 7½-size. Heavy string hatband with tassels. Stagecoach label embossed on inside band. After completing his last film, The Shootist (1976), Wayne shot a series of commercials for the Great Western Bank of California, filmed in Grants Pass, Oregon. He wore this hat in those commercials, his last work in cowboy apparel. All-American action hero John "Duke" Wayne appeared in over 250 films, primarily in war movies and Westerns. Although he had appeared in 80 low-budget films, Wayne did not become a star until 1939, when he appeared as the Ringo Kid in John Ford's Stagecoach. Near the end of his forty-year career, Wayne was honored with his first Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of hard-drinking, one-eyed Marshal Rooster Cogburn in 1969's True Grit. Accompanied by authenticating letter from the L.A. Prop and Wardrobe Company. Minor staining on the left crown and right brim. Otherwise, fine condition. read more...