SIR CEDRIC HARDWICKE - DOCUMENT SIGNED 08/19/1941 - HFSID 178246

CEDRIC HARDWICKE
He signs a contract for his performance in Sundown
Document signed: "Cedric Hardwicke" under "Agreed To", 2p, 8½x11, separate sheets. Los Angeles, California, 1941 August 19. In letter form to Hardwicke, c/o Noll Gurney Agency, Los Angeles regarding an employment agreement for the actor's services in the RKO film, Sundown. In full: "This is to confirm our understanding of the agreement with you relating to the agreement of employment between us dated January 25, 1941: 1. You have advised us that you desire to render services in connection with the photoplay now entitled 'SUNDOWN', to be produced by Walter Wanger Productions Incorporated. 2. We are therefore concurrently herewith entering into an agreement with Walter Wanger Productions Incorporated pursuant to which we lend your services to Walter Wanger Productions Incorporated on the terms and conditions set forth in said agreement. 3. In consideration of the execution by us of said agreement dated August 19, 1941 with Walter Wanger Productions Incorporated, you hereby agree that anything to the contrary contained in said agreement of employment between us dated January 25, 1941 notwithstanding, we may lend your services to Walter Wanger Productions Incorporated at the time and in the manner and on the terms, covenants and conditions set forth in said agreement between us and Walter Wanger Productions Incorporated dated August 19, 1941, and that such lending of your services shall in no wise constitute or be deemed to constitute a breach by us of any or all of the terms, covenants or conditions of said agreement of employment between us dated January 25, 1941. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is mutually understood and agreed that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in said agreement of employment dated January 25, 1941 or elsewhere contained, such lending of your services to Walter Wanger Productions Incorporated pursuant to said agreement dated August 19, 1941 shall not constitute and shall not be deemed to constitute a breach or violation by us of Article 38 of said employment agreement dated January 25, 1941, even though we are requiring said Walter Wanger Productions Incorporated to pay us less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for the use of your services in connection with the photoplay referred to in said agreement between us and Walter Wanger Productions Incorporated dated August 19, 1941; and it is further mutually understood and agreed that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in said agreement of employment dated January 25, 1941 or elsewhere contained, the period of time during which you render services pursuant to said agreement between us and Walter Wanger Productions Incorporated dated August 19, 1941 shall be excluded, for any and all purposes, from the period of fifteen (15) weeks referred to in Articles 3 and 4, or either, of said agreement of employment dated January 25, 1941. If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, kindly so indicate by signing in the space provided below." Also signed by an Assistant Secretary for RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. Sundown, set in Africa during WWII, was released in 1941. Henry Hathaway directed the cast, which included Hardwicke as Bishop Coombes, Gene Tierney, Bruce Cabot, George Sanders, Harry Carey and Reginald Gardiner. Sundown was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Black & White Art Direction, Best Black & White Cinematography and Best Dramatic Score. British actor Sir Cedric Hardwicke (1883-1964), who was knighted for his acting in 1934, was called the finest actor in the world by playwright George Bernard Shaw. Hardwicke, who had appeared in a number of stage plays, including Shaw's Major Barbara, made his film debut in 1926 in Nelson and continued to make films through 1964, the year of his death. His long list of film credits include Les Miserables (1935), King Solomon's Mines (1937), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939), Wilson (1944), The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945), I Remember Mama (1948), Around the World in 80 Days (1956), The Ten Commandments (1956) and The Pumpkin Eater (1964, his last film). Slightly soiled. Upper right corner torn away. Staple holes at upper blank margin, check mark above typed inside address. Overall, fine condition.