JIMMY "SCHNOZZOLA" DURANTE - DOCUMENT SIGNED 06/25/1957 - HFSID 263106

JIMMY DURANTE
Jimmy Durante signs a document with the National Broadcasting Company, Inc.
Carbon Typed Document Signed: "Jimmy Durante" in ink under "Agreed", 2p, 8½x11, separate sheets. New York, New York, 1957 June 25. On letterhead of the National Broadcasting Company, Inc. to Durante. In letter form regarding an agreement dated September 1, 1951 relating to Durante's services in television and radio. In part: "We hereby agree to your authorizing the P. Lorillard Company to make one (1) repeat telecast over the facilities of the CBS Television Network of each of not more than thirteen (13) of the existing half-hour television films in which you were the star performer...You and we mutually agree that the last five years of the term of said agreement are cancelled; accordingly, the term of said agreement will expire August 31, 1961...." Also signed by a representative of the National Broadcasting Company, Inc. who has also initialed a paragraph on the first page. In the year he signed this document, Durante starred in the feature film, Beau James, appeared in the short feature, The Heart of Show Business, and appeared on TV as himself on Club Oasis. Jimmy Durante (1893-1980), known to family, friends and fans as "The Schnozzola" 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." Durante was an active life member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He often performed pro bono (the proceeds that would have been his pay went to the Children's Fund). All he asked in the way of pay was that people, "Help Da Kids". On thin paper. Lightly creased with folds. ¾-inch separation at lower horizontal fold at blank left margin, nicked at blank right margin of second page. ½-x1-inch paper loss at upper left blank corner of first page, ¾x¼-inch paper loss at upper left blank corner of second page, which has 2½x½-inch paper loss at upper margin, nicking letterhead. File hole and staple holes at upper blank margins. Overall, fine and interesting.