JIMMY "SCHNOZZOLA" DURANTE - CONTRACT SIGNED 04/19/1963 - HFSID 258900

JIMMY DURANTE. Partly Printed DS: "Jimmy Durante", 2p, 8¼x10¾, front and verso. New York, New York, 1963 April 19. On letterhead of William Morris Agency, Inc. Durante hires the William Morris Agency, Inc. as his "sole and exclusive agent, adviser, artists' manager, and representative with respect to my service in all branches of entertainment, publication, and related fields throughout the world" for a period commending July 19, 1963 and ending November 15, 1966. He agrees to pay the agency a commission of ten percent of hiss gross compensation earned during that period. Also signed by an Agent for William Morris Agency, Inc. Over the term of this contract, Durante starred in one feature film, It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), and a made-for-TV movie, Alice Through the Looking Glass (1966), and was a guest host (1964-1970) of The Hollywood Palace. He also starred in The Jimmy Durante Show, an episode of Summer Playhouse (1964), and made guest appearances on Toast of the Town (1963), What's My Line? (1965; "Mystery Guest") and Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (1966). Durante was also seen in archival footage in The Big Parade of Comedy (1964) and Hollywood My Home Town (1965). Jimmy Durante (1893-1980), known to family, friends and fans as "The Schnozzola", "Schnozzle" or simply "the Schnoz" because of his Cyrano-sized nose, began his career as a piano player on the Lower East Side of New York City. He and his partners, dancers Eddie Jackson and Lou Clayton, had become overnight sensations on vaudeville, and Durante later lent his talents to films, radio and television as well as being a popular performer in nightclubs and on stage. His act included telling jokes, playing the piano and singing in his raspy voice. Two of his most popular songs were "Inka Dinka Doo" and "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey?", and Durante was also well known for his trademark sign off line, "Goodnight, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are." An active life member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, he often performed pro bono with the proceeds that would have been his pay, going to the Children's Fund. All he asked in the way of pay was that people, "Help Da Kids". Lightly creased. Staple holes and 2 file holes at upper margin. Fine condition.