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Extraordinary set of handwritten notes by James Dean's agent, Jane Deacy, dated April-May (1955) to renegotiate Dean's multi-picture contract with Warner Brothers. In April 1954 Dean signed a 9-picture Deal with Warners, who immediately exercised its option for Dean to star in ''Rebel Without a Cause'' and ''Giant'' after his breakout performance in ''East of Eden''. Given the young star's newfound power status in Hollywood, Deacy successfully renegotiated his contract, orchestrating a new 9-picture deal over six years worth $900,000 before Dean passed away in September 1955. These notes reveal Deacy's thinking about his contract and what was important to the young star, such as ensuring Dean would act in quality films, increased compensation, and time off between filming.
Notes comprise seven sheets of legal paper, with writing on both sides of several pages. Completed in pencil by Deacy, extensive notes cover key aspects of the renegotiation, along with assessment of the players such as note on the first page, ''looking over entire situation = Ned Marin & Steve Trilling''; Trilling at the time was the top Warner executive under Jack Warner at Warner Bros. She also writes ''James Dean'' at top and ''Don't accept money from Famous Artists'', an interesting observation referring to Dean's LA based agent. She continues, ''How is Jimmy going to be protected in so far as good script, good director good producer and good cast? / How many years should we extend his present contract? / How many more pictures should we give Warners? / How many firm years should we ask for? / Is it wise to commit him for more years? Is so how many? / Should we plan for production unit of his own at Warners or is it better to give 4 more pictures + no years or plan for more years - more pictures + set up our unit - or give pictures at more money and re-negotiate''. The last note on this page reads, ''more notice to report to studio / film T.V. rights / participating + approval of loan out'', referring to Dean being loaned out to other studios such as MGM for their films.
On another page, Deacy writes a new proposed schedule for Dean's films as follows:
''1st 2 yrs film 100,000 400,000
1 yr free
2 2 yrs film 150,000 600,000
1 yr free
1 yr film 200,000 400,''
with a total amount of [$]1,400,000 added, ostensibly Deacy's ask price for a total of 10 films. Underneath these calculations she writes, ''How much asking / Jimmy buying cheap property holding & selling to Warners / picture approval / T.V. appearances plugging pictures other than interview or film clip must be paid...Term used exclusive services but in #26A - page 37 where it lists activities such as TV radio it has etc written in. Does this cover directory''.
Deacy's writing on other pages includes, ''Contract started when J. reported to studio for East of Eden May 1954 / cannot complete 3 pictures a year without consent of artist...''; ''During 1st free year if JD elects to make a picture Warners will definitely do what release & finance? / What kind of a commitment are you prepared to make - what if you don't want to do the picture?''; ''5 yr / cancel out old contract 10 pictures firm in 5 yr with the rite after ea 2 yr period Dean [1] yr off...during Warner term can do present outside activities + rite to do Italian film 1956 [referring to the Rocky Graziano biopic that Dean was then considering] on his own which they distribute + rite to do one outside picture during five yr / Try include Graziano / projected money deal''.
Deacy continues on another sheet dated May 15th: ''change option date to 30 days after principal photography instead of 61 days after artists completes all services. / specific whether 1 week notice before or after picture / better means no notice - he is to be here + ready for call between May 30 & June 30 Before agreement to such - in future - I want to be notified & consulted.'' On still another page, Deacy writes about Dean being compensated for promoting his films, ''picture approval / T.V. appearances plugging pictures other than interview or film clips must be paid - / 100,000 - 10 week period / page 8-[paragraph] 7 approval of substitute voice used in singing / page 9 - adv. tie-ups - not to exceed 2 yrs. / Stipulate exclusive acting''.
With much more important content, set of seven sheets measures 8'' x 12.5'' on yellow lined paper. Separation starting along edges of single horizontal foldline on each page. Overall in very good condition. An important manuscript in the history of Golden Age Hollywood. From the estate of James Dean's agent, Jane Deacy.
Jane Deacy's Extensive Handwritten Notes Regarding Her Renegotiated Deal with Warner Bros. for James Dean's Contract -- From April-May 1955 After Dean's Breakout Stardom in ''East of Eden''
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