CHICO (LEONARD) MARX - CONTRACT DOUBLE SIGNED 04/28/1948 - HFSID 265304

CHICO MARX
The eldest member of the Marx Brothers entered into a contractual agreement with the William Morris Agency when he signed on the line at the bottom
Document signed: "Chico Marx", 1p, 8½x12½, and initialed "C.M." on rider (1p, 8½x2¼) stapled to page. New York City, New York, April 29, 1948. By signing this document, Marx employed the William Morris Agency as his exclusive manager, agent and advisor for his entertainment businesses. Leonard “Chico” Marx (1887-1961) was the oldest of the five Marx Brothers and one of the main three performers (including Groucho and Harpo). These three brothers appeared in 17 films together, 1 unreleased and probably lost (Humor Risk, 1921). In most of the films, Chico and Harpo play a troublemaking, crime-committing duo, with Harpo in the silent dunce role and Chico playing the crafty but dim-witted leader. After the brothers' mother and business manager passed away in 1929, Chico took over as business manager for the comedy group. He is credited with the first deal for performers that involved the receiving of a set percentage of a production's gross receipts. During the war years, Chico headed his own orchestra and created a solo comedy act that he continued into the late 1940s. Chico was a skillful imitator of Italian dialect, and he played the piano well enough to entertain an audience. Chico's financial difficulties were a major factor in the group's decision to remain active into the late 1940s and 1950s. They released A Night in Casablanca (1946) to help their brother pay off his gambling debts. Staple and file holes at top. Otherwise, fine condition.