PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN - CONTRACT SIGNED 10/26/1949 - HFSID 275014

THE FUTURE PRESIDENT, WHO IS STILL UNDER CONTRACT TO WARNER BROS. FOR THREE FILMS, SIGNS A CONTRACT FOR FIVE FILMS OVER FIVE YEARS WITH UNIVERSAL STUDIOS AT A RATE OF $7,500 PER WEEK FOR A MINIMUM OF TEN WEEKS EACH. THESE FILMS WOULD INCLUDE HIS 1952 COMEDY, BEDTIME FOR BONZO
 
RONALD REAGAN. Carbon Typed Document Signed: "Ronald Reagan" in ink on page 34, 44p, 8½x13, separate sheets, bound onto slightly larger blue sheet ("Universal Pictures Company, Inc." imprinted on verso). Universal City, California, 1949 October 26. Universal Pictures Company, Inc. employs Regan to appear in five films. In part: "The producer hereby employs the artist to render his services for the producer as an actor as hereinafter provided in such roles as the producer may designate in five (5) photoplays to be designated by the producer and to be commenced during the term of this agreement...The producer agrees that one of the aforesaid five (5) photoplays shall be made in technicolor; provided, however, that such color process is then readily available...The phrase 'employment period' as used herein means each period during which the artist shall be required to render his services hereunder in connection with the production of a photoplay...It is understood that the term of this agreement is subject to extension and termination as herein provided...The producer shall have the exclusive right to the services of the artist during each employment period and the artist agrees that he will not render any services of any kind to or for any person, firm or corporation, other than the producer, during any employment period...The artist further agrees, if required by the producer, to appear personally for the purpose of advertising each of said photoplays on one radio program to be designated by the producer...The producer may transfer or assign this agreement or all or any part of its right to the artist's services...The artist hereby authorizes the producer to deduct from the compensation payable to the artist hereunder an amount equal to one percent (1%) of each installment of compensation due the artist hereunder and to pay the amount so deducted to the Motion Picture Relief Fund of America, Inc...the producer agrees to compensate the artist...At the rate of Seventy-five Hundred Dollars ($7500.00) per week during each employment period, to be due and payable on Thursday of each week...The producer agrees that compensation will be paid to the artist for not less than ten (10) weeks during each employment period...The artist shall be starred or co-starred...The artist's name shall appear first of the names of the male members of the cast of the respective photoplay...The name of no other member of the cast shall be displayed in type larger than that used to display the artist's name in the respective credit (screen or advertising)...The term of this agreement shall be deemed to consist of five (5) separate consecutive one-year periods, each of which is referred to in this agreement as a 'year of the term'...The producer understands that the artist has entered into a contract of employment with Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc. (herein referred to as 'WB') dated under which the artist is employed for three (3) photoplays, one (1) to be commenced during 1950, one (1) during 1951 and one (1) during 1952...[the contract ends with stipulation of the terms of working with Reagan's commitment to Warner Bros.]...." Also signed by an Assistant Secretary and an Assistant Treasurer of Universal Pictures Company, Inc. Initialed twice in unknown hands at lower margin. In 1949, the year he signed this contract, Reagan appeared in three films, John Loves Mary, Night Unto Night and The Girl From Jones Beach, for Warner Bros. as well as The Hasty Heart for the Associated British Picture Corporation. Louisa, his first film under this contract with Universal, was released on August 1, 1950. In 1951, Reagan was seen on the big screen in the studio's comedy, Bedtime for Bonzo. Another film for Universal, Law and Order, was released in 1953. Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) had two careers: actor and politician. His first movie was Love is on the Air (1937) and his 53rd and last film was The Killers (1964). In 1965, he wrote his autobiography, Where's the Rest of Me?, a line from his role as Drake McHugh in King's Row (1942). Reagan left his job hosting television's Death Valley Days during the 1965-1966 season, when he entered politics. Elected Governor of California in 1966, he was reelected in 1970. Reagan began his campaign for the presidency and narrowly lost the 1976 Republican nomination to Gerald Ford. He was elected President in 1980 and was reelected in 1984. After leaving office in 1989, he wrote his second autobiography, An American Life. On February 6, 2001, Reagan became just the third U.S. President to reach the age of 90 and the nation's longest living President until Gerald Ford (d. 2006) lived 45 days longer. On thin paper. Lightly creased. Two file holes and staple holes at upper margins. Binder sheet is torn at lower left edge and at lower blank margin. Upper portion has separated at right margin. Overall, fine and interesting.