STEVE ALLEN - CONTRACT SIGNED 08/01/1951 - HFSID 281402

STEVE ALLEN
Recording contract with Columbia Records (1951), signed as Stephen V. Allen
Document signed: "Stephen V. Allen", 4 pages, 8½x11. New York, N.Y., 1951 August 1. On letterhead of Columbia Records, Allen commits to record a minimum of 8 songs for the company, or a greater number at Columbia's option, with compensation at the union scale. Detailed provisions cover royalties on sales of the recordings. Breaking into showbiz as a radio disc jockey, the multitalented Steve Allen (1921-2000) learned that inserting humor would draw a lot more attention to himself than merely announcing. In order to supply himself with an endless stream of material, he memorized every joke book and "college humor" magazine that he could get his hands on; the result was his uncanny ability to conjure up precisely the right wisecrack at the right time. Allen received his first network exposure in 1949, and he was also featured in several films, including Down Memory Lane (1949) and I'll Get By (1950). In 1953, Allen was hired to host a local late-night program on New York's WNBC-TV, which later developed into the NBC network's Tonight Show. Allen was also an accomplished composer (he wrote over 7,400 songs, including his signature song This Could Be The Start of Something Big) and piano player, and he filled up his spare time by writing more than 50 books as well as plays and magazine articles. Allen was married to actress Jayne Meadows from 1954 until his death. Both Allen and Meadows were nominated for Emmy Awards for a joint guest appearance on the TV series LA Law, and the couple also appeared together on Allen's memorable PBS miniseries Meeting of Minds. Allen's full name was Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen, but it was unusual for him to sign as anything but Steve Allen. Two filing holes at upper center margin. Staple holes at upper left corner. Lightly creased and toned at edges. Otherwise, fine condition.