DICK POWELL - DOCUMENT SIGNED 10/20/1952 - HFSID 227249

DICK POWELL
The actor agrees to direct Split Second, instead of a previously agreed film, entitled Breakaway, for RKO Radio Pictures, despite the fact that neither Robert Mitchum nor Dana Andrews will play leading male roles.
Carbon Typed DS: "Dick Powell" in ink on last page, 2p, 8½x13. No place, 1952 October 20. Powell signs an an amended agreement (the original agreement was dated May 2, 1952) to direct a film for RKO Radio Pictures. Headed: "RKO Radio Pictures, Inc./Agreement". In part: "Whereas, the parties have heretofore entered into an agreement dated May 2, 1952, which agreement, as heretofore amended, is hereinafter referred to as the 'Employment Agreement', purusant to which the Corporation employed the Director to direct the motion picture now entitled 'Breakaway'...Whereas the parties desire to agree further with respect to the Employment Agreement, the Option Agrteement and with respect to other matters herein set forth...The Director's employment under the Employment Agreement shall be in connection with the motion picture now entitled 'Split Second' instead of the motion picture 'Breakaway', and said motion picture 'Split Second' shall, for all purposes of the Employment Agreement, be the Picture referred to in said Employment Agreement. The employment of the Director in connection with the Picture shall be deemed to have commenced August 1, 1952...The Director waives the provisions of Article 3 of the Employment Agreement with respect to the Picture, and agrees to render his services in connection with the Picture, notwithstanding the fact that neither Robert Mitchum, Dana Andrews or another actor having substantially the same box office value as either Robert Mitchum or Dana Andrews portrays the role of the leading man in the Picture...." Also signed by an Assistant Secretary for RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. Split Second, which was released on May 2, 1953, starred Steven McNally, Alexis Smith, Jan Sterling and Keith Andes. In 1952, the year this document was signed, Powell starred in one feature film, The Bad and the Beautiful. In 1953, the year that Split Second was released, Powell produced three episodes of the TV anthology series, Four Star Playhouse. 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 Show from 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. Staple holes at upper blank margins. Pencil notes (unknown hand) on first page. Receipt stamps on front and verso of second page are initialed in unknown hands (light show through of receipt stamp on verso). Overall, fine condition.