BORIS LEVEN - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 05/12/1958 - HFSID 205083

BORIS LEVEN
The Academy Award-winning art director for West Side Story (1961), sends letter discussing his salary, signs name in blue ink
Typed letter signed: "Boris Leven" in blue ink. 1 page, 8½x11. Addressed to Mr. Herb Stewart of Seven Arts Productions, Inc. at Samuel Goldwyn Studios in Hollywood, California. May 12, 1958. In full: "Dear Herb: This is to confirm our discussion regarding the method by which I'd like my salary to be paid. My salary is to be $550.00 per week, but I'd like it to be paid in amount of $750.00 per week. This will of course necessitate your issuing the $750.00 checks at such times as to keep the total amount paid commensurate with the amount due me at the $550.00 per week rate. In other words, if I work ten (10) weeks, my total compensation will be $5500.00, but I would like to be paid in seven checks at $750.00 per week, and one check of $250.00 per week, to make the overall total for the ten (10) weeks the same". Boris Leven (1908-1986) was a Russian-born art director and production designer with a Hollywood film career last over fifty-three years. His career began in 1933 as a sketch artist for Paramount Pictures, later moving to 20th Century Fox where he earned his first screen credit as art director for Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938), which earned him the first of nine Oscar nominations. He would go on to win an Academy Award for Best Color Art Direction for his work for West Side Story (1961), which included actual New York City locations combined with a tenement rooftop and fire escape, inspired by the more abstract stage production, that were built on a soundstage. His other words as art director include The Flying Deuces (1939), Invaders from Mars (1953), and The Silver Chalice (1954); and his additional work as production designer includes Anatomy of a Murder (1959), The Sound of Music (1965), The Last Waltz (1978) and The Color of Money (1986). Toned. Staple punctures in top right corner. Corners creased. Normal mailing folds. Pencil notes on verso in unknown hand. Otherwise, fine condition.