James Dean
New York, August 6, 1953
Excessively Rare James Dean Signed Contract for the TV Series "Martin Kane, Private Eye"
TMS

We offer here a scarce and desirable James Dean piece: a typescript manuscript signed, one page, 7.75" x 9.75" (sight), dated August 6, 1953, a contract executed by the Arthur Kudner Agency, Inc., and stating forth the terms and conditions of Dean's employment contract to perform in one episode of the TV show "Martin Kane, Private Eye" on the NBC Television Network. Handsomely matted in gray satin with a publicity still from his film "Rebel Without a Cause," and set into a matte black frame. Overall dimensions are 21" x 15". Fine condition, not examined out of frame.

Actor James Dean (1931-1955) was immortalized within just more than a year and by three acclaimed films: "East of Eden," "Rebel Without a Cause," and "Giant" (released posthumously). In the early 1950s and prior to "East of Eden," he earned a living in television roles such as "Kraft Television Theater," "The United States Steel Hour," and "Omnibus," which aired in summer,1953, along with "Martin Kane."

Some of the stipulations of Dean's employment include requirements such as "…you will be available for all rehearsals, as well as for the telecast…" and state that Dean be paid a $250.00 "fee…for rehearsals – for both film and/or live performance for this one-time appearance…". Dean boldly signs at bottom right in blue ink, and adds one mysterious holograph emendation within the text: a half circle around the phrase "…sixty (60) days…".

"Martin Kane, Private Eye" was a radio and television crime series sponsored by the United States Tobacco Company. It aired on the radio from 1949-1952 and starred film actor William Gargan in the lead role as a private detective in New York City. It simultaneously ran as a live television series from 1949-1954 and pioneered the use of actors to promote the sponsor within the narrative: for example, Kane would go into a tobacconist to discuss various varieties of pipe tobacco as part of the show.

Dean, though still relatively unknown, was already establishing his reputation for being moody, and was famously fired on the second day of rehearsals for "Martin Kane" for allegedly not taking direction. As history proves, Dean's idiosyncratic personality would come to serve him well in his roles as a disaffected and unpredictable young man, and perhaps no more so than in "Rebel Without a Cause."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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21" x 15"