DICK POWELL - CONTRACT DOUBLE SIGNED 05/18/1944 - HFSID 77426

DICK POWELL
The actor agrees to appear in one film -- probably Murder, My Sweet, in which he starred as Philip Marlowe -- for RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. in 1944.
Carbon Typed Contract signed: "Richard E. Powell" in ink above "(Artist's true name)" and "Dick Powell" in ink above "(Artist's professional name)" on page 43, 45p, 8½x13, separate sheets. No place, 1944 May 18. Contract for Powell to appear in one film for RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. in 1944. Title page is headed: "Agreement/between/RKO Radio Pictures, Inc./and/Dick Powell". In part: "The Corporation employs the Artist to perform his services for the Corporation in one (1) motion picture to be commenced within a period of one (1) year commencing as of May 8, 1944...The Corporation will pay the Artist compensation for his services in connection with the Picture described in the preceding Article at the rate of Six Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($6,250.00) a week...The proposed negative cost of each Picure must be not less than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) (including the amount to be paid to the Artist for such Picture pursuant to this agreement)...After the Corporation has completed its use of the Artist's services in connection with the principal photography of a picture, the Artist will render his services in connection with the making of retakes, added scenes, sound track, changes, trick shots, process shots, transparencies or trailers in connection with the Picture...at least co-star billing in first (1st) position with relation to the entire cast...Artist will furnish all modern wardrobe and wearing apparel reasonably necessary for all roles to be portrayed by the Artist...During the period the Artist is obligated to render his services to the Corporation in connection with each Picture he will be available at all times at Los Angeles, California...Subject to the terms and conditions of this agreement, the Artist may during any term of this agreement render his services for persons other than the Corporation in not more than two (2) motion pictures...The artist will not during the term of this agreement, by any means, circulate, publish or disseminate any news stories or articles relating directly or indirectly to his employment hereunder, to the Pictures, or to the Corporation...The Corporation will give the Artist at least thirty (30) days written notice of the date on which it requires his services in connection with each of the Pictures...." The contract also covers various options available to Powell, including the filming of two additional pictures at varying times from the date of the original agreement, to be compensated at rates from $7,812.50-$12,500 per week. Also signed by an Assistant Secretary for RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. This contract likely refers to Murder, My Sweet, which was released by RKO on December 9, 1944. Powell, who starred as Philip Marlowe in the film, would also star in It Happened Tomorrow (released on May 28) for Arnold Pressburger Films and Meet the People (released on June 1) for M-G-M in 1944. On December 25, 1945, he was seen on the big screen in another RKO film, Cornered. Actor Dick Powell (1903-1963), born Richard Ewing Powell, sang and played several instruments in live performances and on radio in the late 1920s, and he had some hit records. In the 1930s, Powell moved to film musicals, including 42nd Street (1933) and The Gold Diggers of 1933. He began playing dramatic roles the following decade, beginning by playing Philip Marlow in Murder, My Sweet (1944). Powell also appeared often on early TV, hosting The Dick Powell Showfrom 1961 until his early death from cancer. He was married to actresses Joan Blondell (his second wife, 1936-1944) and June Allyson (his third wife, 1945 until his death in 1963). Lightly creased. Type is light (but completely legible) on some pages. Staple holes and two file holes at upper margins of all pages. Covers are lightly soiled, back cover has minor paper loss at mid-left and lower right edges. Signature page is not attached to remainder of document. Overall, fine and interesting.