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.

This signed 28-page contract confirms that the singer will star in the 1958 film Kings Go Forth Contract signed: "Frank Sinatra" in ink on last page. Twenty-eight pages. 8½x11. Separate sheets. California. Dated August 20, 1957. Contract between Frank Ross-Eton Productions and Hobart Productions, Inc. for Sinatra to star as Sam Loggins in a film tentatively titled Kings Go Forth at a salary of $200,000. Contract in Part: "Hobart agrees to furnish to Employer the services of Artist...to act, play and perform the role of Sam Loggins in the motion picture photoplay tentatively entitled 'KINGS GO FORTH'...employer agrees to pay to Hobart...the sum of $200,000, payable at the rate of $20,000 per week...it is agreed that the name of Artist shall be above the title of the photoplay, and Tony Curtis, Natalie Wood, and Frank Ross shall be the only other parties who shall receive credit above the title of the photoplay" Also signed by representatives from Frank Ross Productions, Eton Productions, Inc. and Hobart Productions, Inc. Frank Sinatra starred as First Lieutenant Sam Loggins in Kings Go Forth, which was released in 1958. That year, he was also seen on the big screen in Some Came Running. His production company, Hobart Productions, Inc.

George Burns' smoking jacket, size Medium, style 0783. Red and black silk with black pinstriped belt. Label, 2¾ inches by ¾ inches, of fashion designer Fernando Sanchez sewn in. George Burns  was a well-known cigar smoker. In 1994, Arthur Marx, son of Groucho, interviewed Burns for "Cigar Aficionado Magazine" and asked him why he started smoking cigars. Burns' answer: "I smoked them because I wanted people to think I was doing well. When they saw me walking down the street smoking a cigar, they'd say, 'hey, that 14-year-old kid must be going places.' Of course, it's also a good prop on the stage. That's why so many performers, including your father, use them. When you can't think of what you are supposed to say next, you take a puff on your cigar until you do think of your next line…If I'd taken my doctor's advice and quit smoking when he advised me to, I wouldn't have lived to go to his funeral." Burns died in 1996 at age 100. Fine condition.

B/w movie still from one of Charlie Chapin's later film, with Chaplin and other old man sitting at a tea table and looking startled (and with Chaplin tossing the sugar cubes in the air, of course) Photograph signed "Chas Chaplin". B/w, 9¾x8. The first great screen comedian, and arguably the best of all time, Chaplin (1889-1977, born Charles Spencer Chaplin in London, United Kingdom) was also a talented director and screenwriter. In the silent era, his many outstanding films included Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914), The Kid (1921), Gold Rush (1925) and City Lights (1931). Chaplin was less consistently successful in the talking era, the great strength of his character the Little Tramp having been physical comedy, but his later noteworthy films included Modern Times (1936), The Great Dictator (1940) and Limelight (1952). Lightly toned, creased and bowed. Errors in negative were reproduced in photo. Light scratches on image (not visible head-on). Otherwise in fine condition.

EXTREMELY RARE BRUCE LEE SIGNED ESSAY. INCLUDES 180 WORDS IN HIS OWN HAND! AMONG EARLIEST KNOWN WRITING EXAMPLES. Autograph Manuscript signed: "Bruce Lee", blue ink, 2p (front and back), 6½x8. Headed: "Dictation", circa late 1950's. This essay appears to be an English dictation exercise, likely written during Lee's time (1956-1959) at St. Francis Xavier College in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Found throughout are Lee's own handwritten corrections to grammar or spelling showing is dedication to proper language use. Writing reflects Lee's famous flowing signature and graceful writing style. Uneven tearing to left-side edge, with minor creasing throughout; light markings present at upper left corner, not affecting text. Overall, fine condition. Accompanied by Beckett letter of Authenticity. In part: "The history of aviation is full of adventures, and their happy outcome has proved how great is man's ability to brave the dangers which confront him. Not long ago an aviator, while flying over a part of Africa, met with engine trouble at a time when visibility was poor, and was compelled to descend in an swamp at the edge of a large lake. His machine turned upside down and became deeply embedded in the mud.…"

Four legendary actors draw caricatures of themselves and sign them in ink, completing this incredible framed collection Comprises: 1) Self-caricature signed: "Ernest Borgnine" 7½x6½ visible. Lightly toned. Otherwise, fine condition. 2) Self-caricature signed: "John Gielgud/ 1985". 2¾x4½. Fine condition. 3) Self-caricature signed: "Good Wishes/ Alec Guinness/ 1981". 5½x8. Fine condition. 4) Self-caricature signed: "Ch". 5¼x8. Fine condition. These four actors - two Brits, two Americans - dominated the screen and stage on both sides of the Atlantic for decades. JOHN GIELGUD (1904-2000) was born a generation before the other three. He performed on Broadway and London stages for many years, eventually becoming an accomplished theatre director as well. He was the fourth person to win at least one individual Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. ALEC GUINNESS (1914-2000), much like Gielgud, earned acclaim on the stage and transitioned to film and television right after WWII. One of his most famous screen roles is that of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first trilogy of Star Wars films.

The two offer an inducement for the film Serpico (1973) to proceed Document Signed: "Al Pacino" and "Martin Bregman" both in black ink, 1p, 8½x11. No place, July 24, 1972. In letter form to Produzione DeLaurentiis International Manufacturing Company, Rome, Italy. Begins: "Gentlemen". In full: "Reference is made to the Memorandum Agreement between you and CHAL Productions, Inc. and Artists Entertainment Complex, Inc. dated July 24, 1972, relating to the production of a motion picture based on the life of Frank Serpico and the book SERPICO written by Peter Maas. In consideration of the execution of said Agreement by you and as additional inducement to you to execute the same, the undersigned, Al Pacino and Martin Bergman, hereby expressly accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of said Memorandum Agreement applicable to them. The undersigned shall be directly liable hereunder without your first being required to pursue and/or exhaust any remedy within your power and you shall not be required to proceed against CHAL Productions, Inc. and Artists Entertainment Complex, Inc. prior to proceeding against the undersigned. Very truly yours".

He signs a replica 40-inch Japanese katana on the handle, adding ""Kill Bill'". Ephemera signed: "David Carradine "Kill Bill"". Between his name and the film title, he has drawn a yin/yang symbol. Replica Japanese katana, 40" long, with cloth wrapped handle, decorative blade collar and red scabbard, signed on the scabbard in silver ink. The eldest son of actor John Carradine, stage, screen and television actor David Carradine, born John Arthur Carradine, is best known as the Chinese-American Shaolin monk Kwai Chang Caine in TV's Kung Fu (1972-1975). Carradine, who took a strong interest in the Asian martial arts and the philosophy behind them when he began the role, has produced action films, two exercise videos and a book, Spirit of Shaolin, on the subject. Carradine, who earned critical acclaim for his portrayal of Woody Guthrie in the film Bound for Glory (1976), made his film debut in 1964's Taggart, and has appeared in such films as Boxcar Bertha (1972), The Long Goodbye (1973), Mean Streets (1973), Death Race 2000 (1975), Gray Lady Down (1977), The Long Riders (1980) and Bird on a Wire (1990), and he found success later in his career in the two "Kill Bill" movies (2003-2004).

The famous actor is shown in a still from the 1961 film One-Eyed Jacks, which was also used as the cover for the Radio Times Magazine, in 1983! Photograph Signed: "Marlon Brando" in black felt tip. 8x10. Color. Marlon Brando (1924-2004) was nominated for the 1989 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (A Dry White Season) and for seven Academy Awards for Best Actor: 1951 (A Streetcar Named Desire), 1952 (Viva Zapata!), 1953 (Julius Caesar), 1954 (On the Waterfront), 1957 (Sayonara), 1972 (The Godfather) and 1973 (Last Tango in Paris); he won in 1954 and 1972. He refused to accept the award for the title role in The Godfather because he believed that the U.S. and Hollywood were discriminating against the Indian people. He is frequently cited as the greatest and most influential actor of all time. Lightly soiled on verso. Corners slightly rounded. Otherwise, fine condition.