JIMMY "SCHNOZZOLA" DURANTE - DOCUMENT SIGNED 06/26/1952 - HFSID 178182

THE ENTERTAINER GRANTS PERMISSION FOR "TV GUIDE" TO USE A 1950 COVER PHOTOGRAPH OF HIM AS SANTA CLAUS ON 1952 SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL FORMS
 
JIMMY DURANTE. Carbon Typed Document Signed: "Jimmy Durante" in ink, 1p, 8½x11. No place, 1952 June 26. In letter form to Mr. Lee Gottlieb, TV Guide, New York, New York. Begins: "Gentlemen". In full: "I hereby grant you permission to use a reproduction of my photograph on your subscription renewal forms. The photograph to be used by you shall be the same photograph of me which appeared on the cover of the December 1950 issue of your magazine. It is understood that this subscription renewal form bearing my photograph, as aforesaid, will not be used by you in more than four (4) issues preceding the Christmas, 1952 issue." Durante appeared as Santa Claus on the cover of the December 23-29, 1950 issue of "TV Guide". At the time he signed this document, Durante was an alternate host on TV's Four Star Revue (1950-1953) and served as a guest host (1950-1955) on The Colgate Comedy Hour. He was also seen in archival footage in Memories of Famous Hollywood Comedians. 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". On thin paper, which is lightly creased with folds, not at signature. File holes at upper blank margin, ½-inch paper loss above holes. ¼-inch tear at upper blank edge, 1½x¼-inch paper loss at upper blank area. Overall, fine condition.