BUDDY EBSEN - CONTRACT SIGNED 11/12/1958 CO-SIGNED BY: LEO LEFCOURT - HFSID 286907

BUDDY EBSEN
Signed contract to appear on TV's Playhouse 90 episode "Free Weekend" for $1,500
Document signed: "Buddy Ebsen" as performer, "Leo Lefcourt" representing CBS-TV. 2 pages (including rider), 8½x11. Also initialed by both on the ride. Hollywood, California, 1958 November 12. Standard AFTRA contract for a single television engagement, an appearance in the Playhouse 90 episode "Free Weekend" in the role of Phil for $1,500. Rider stipulates that Ebsen is to receive co-star billing, but that the style and placement of the program credits shall be at the producer's discretion. Originally a dancer, BUDDY EBSEN (1908-2003), born Christian Rudolph Ebsen, Jr., did just that in many films of the 1930s. Later a sidekick to Western heroes Rex Allen and Fess Parker, Ebsen also played serious character roles, as in Night People (1955). Ebsen was the original choice to play The Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (1939), but proved allergic to the silver makeup applied to his skin. His greatest success came on TV, where he starred in two popular series of his own, The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971) and Barnaby Jones (1973-1980). LEO LEFCOURT, a Hollywood lawyer and theatrical agent, procured the rights to the popular Twilight Episode "The Hitch-hiker," from author Lucile Fletcher, after prior offers by Rod Serling had been rejected. Multiple staples holes at top left corner. Notches at top edge connecting to two holes from hole-punch. 8½x2¼ irregularly cut paper stapled at left edge to page. All lightly toned around edges. Otherwise fine condition.