MARGE CHAMPION - CONTRACT SIGNED 08/15/1955 CO-SIGNED BY: GOWER CHAMPION - HFSID 281400

MARGE CHAMPION and GOWER CHAMPION
Both sign a 1955 agreement with Columbia Records to accept half of their usual royalties on sales made through the Columbia Record Club
Document signed: "Marge Champion" and "Gower Champion", 1 page, 8½x11. Beverly Hills, California, August 15, 1955.  Both sign a letter of understanding with Columbia Records, agreeing that they shall receive one-half of their normal royalty payment for records sold through the Columbia Record Club, and no royalty payment on bonus records awarded to members joining the club or qualifying by purchase of a required minimum of records. Gower and Marge Champion formed one of the most popular dance duos of the postwar-World War II era, appearing together on Broadway in 3 for Tonight! (1955) and on the silver screen in Mr. Music(1950), Show Boat(1951), Lovely to Look At (1952), and Everything I have Is Yours (1952), among many others. Gower Champion (1919-1980) won a total of eight Tony Awards, five for choreography and three for directing. He was nominated for another seven Tonys. He shared an Emmy nod in 1959 for directingThe Pontiac Star Parade. Gower built his career on Broadway, but he has dozens of television and film credits in numerous on-screen and off-screen positions. Dancer, choreographer and teacher Marge Champion (1919-2020) assisted with his Broadway shows as a choreographer and even performed in some of them, including the aforementioned 3 for Tonight! (1955). Her final performance on Broadway was in Follies(2001). She also compiled a number of credits on the screen, with her choreography work inQueen of the Stardust Ballroom (1975) earning her a Primetime Emmy. The Champions divorced in 1973, but their legacy together lives on; in 1960, both received a star on the Walk of Fame and in 2002, the couple was awarded a career achievement award at the American Choreography Awards. Two filing holes at top center. Narrow vertical stain at near center-running full length. Top right corner creased and torn ¾ diagonally. Horizontal fold creases. Lightly creased. Otherwise, fine condition.