GARY COOPER
Gary Cooper signs a contract about The Border Jumpers.
Contract Typed Letter Signed: "Gary Cooper", 2p, 8½x11, separate sheets. No place, 1957 November 15. Co-signed: "Marvin E. Mirisch" as Treasurer. "As compensation for your services hereunder, and provided THE BORDER JUMPERS may be released with you recognizable therein," Ashton Productions agrees to pay Cooper $100,000 the day of "the commencement of the principal photography of the Wilder picture" or a substitute picture. Reference is made to "the agreement between the undersigned, the Mirisches, yourself and I.H. Prinzmetal" and "the payment of the $25,000.00 deferment to Anthony Mann". Cooper portrayed Link Jones in Man of the West, based on the book The Border Jumpers, produced by Walter Mirisch and directed by Anthony Mann. Gary Cooper's (1901-1961) acting career, which began with bit parts in 1925, was firmly established with his role in The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926). He steadily rose to superstar status with his screen persona of a strong, silent man of action and few words. Nominated for Academy Awards five times, Cooper won the 1942 Academy Award for Best Actor for the title role in Sergeant York, and he won the Best Actor Oscar in 1953 for the role of Marshal Will Kane in High Noon. He was also nominated for the role of Longfellow Deeds in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, Lou Gehrig in The Pride of the Yankees and Robert Jordan in For Whom the Bell Tolls. Cooper was awarded a Special Academy Award in 1961 "For his many memorable screen performances and the international recognition he, as an individual, has gained for the motion picture industry." Cooper was too ill to accept the Oscar in person and his close friend, a tearful Jimmy Stewart, accepted it in his name. A month later, Cooper died of cancer at the age of 60. Slightly creased at upper margin. Staple holes and 2 file holes at upper blank margin. Fine condition.