GEORGE DUNING
Double Signed 5-year contract with Music Corporation of America
Contract double signed: "George Duning", and again below, "George Duning" in blue ink, 1 page, 8¼x16½. Beverly Hills, California, May 4, 1962. Employment contract for 5 years between MCA Artists and Duning at the rate of 10%, effective August 15, 1962. Also signed by an Agent for MCA. George Duning (1908-2000) was a trumpet and piano player with Kay Kyser's band, featured on Kyser's radio show, The Kollege of Musical Knowledge. During the filming of Carolina Blue (1944), featuring Kyser's band, Duning's talent as a composer was spotted by Columbia, which signed him to an exclusive contract in 1946. He worked mostly with director Richard Quine. Five of Duning's film scores were nominated for Oscars: The Eddy Duchin Story, Picnic, From Here to Eternity, No Sad Songs for Me and Jolson Sings Again. He was also nominated for three Golden Globes: The World of Suzy Wong, All the King's Men and Cry for Happy (the latter winning for him as Best Song). His scores included two of the best examples in the Western genre: 3:10 to Yuma and Cowboy. He also worked on many TV series, including Star Trek, The Big Valley and Naked City. In all, he contributed to more than 300 film and TV scores. While he never won an Oscar, he was honored by the Society for the Preservation of Film Music, Downbeat magazine, and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and as Indian Composer of the Year. Multiple folds. Lightly toned. Binding holes at top edge. Staple holes at top left corner. Otherwise, fine condition.