May 2014 Auction Ends Thursday, May 29th, 5pm Pacific

John Steinbeck Official Contract For His Screenplay ''Viva Zapata!''

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/29/2014

John Steinbeck signed contract for ''Viva Zapata!'' the 1952 biographical film written by the author and starring Marlon Brando and directed by Elia Kazan. Contract, dated 11 June 1963, between Steinbeck and David Merrick grants rights to turn the screenplay into a musical. Reads in part: ''...The sole author of the motion picture shooting script concerning the story of the life and activities of Emiliano Zapata (hereinafter called the 'Work'); that the said Work is original with and has not been copied or adapted from any other work; that the said Work was used as the basis for the motion picture entitled 'ZAPATA', produced by Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation...the Owner hereby grants to the Producer the sole and exclusive right to cause a dramatic-musical adaptation (hereinafter referred to as the 'Play') to be written based upon and utilizing the said work.'' Signed on page eight by Steinbeck and Merrick, and signed again on the last page by Steinbeck, being an amendment which reads, in part, ''if negotiations and/or agreement with the Authors of the musical play shall require same, the size and prominence of my credits may be reduced to seventy-five (75%) percent of that accorded the Authors of the musical play.'' With 25 additional ''DM'' Merrick initials. 10pp. document on rice paper measures 8.5'' x 11'' and has a staple to top left and minor toning and creasing throughout. Additionally includes two letters and typed notes, including one to Steinbeck's literary agent, Annie Laurie William, signed by Merrick's lawyer, Benjamin Aslan. Overall, very good.