Description:

George & Ira Gershwin
[New York, NY], ca. November 27, 1931
George & Ira Gershwin Signed "Girl Crazy" Songwriting Contract For New Motion Picture
DS

A retained copy of a 3pp typed letter signed by American musicians George Gershwin (1898-1937) as "George Gershwin" and also signed by older brother Ira Gershwin (1896-1983) as "Ira Gershwin" on the last page. Ca. November 27, 1931. [New York, New York.] Countersigned by Lee Warren, Vice-President of RKO Radio Pictures, Ltd., above the Gershwin brothers' signatures. One manuscript edit can be found on the second page, with the addition of the phrase "and publish." Double hole punched at top. Expected wear including light paper folds, wrinkles, and isolated staple marks, else near fine. 8.5" x 11." Stored in a custom one quarter green leather and cloth-covered case with red burgundy and gilt labels and fold-out wings, measuring 9.375" x 11.5" x .625" overall.

This business contract outlined terms for a new song to be written by the Gershwin brothers for the upcoming motion picture, "Girl Crazy."

In part:

"We entered into an agreement dated March 9, 1931, with you, John McGowan and Guy Bolton and Freelex Productions, Inc. in which we purchased the motion picture rights in and to the dramatic co-musical material entitled 'Girl Crazy'.

You have advised us that you are willing to write for us a wholly original song or musical composition (hereinafter called 'the musical number') to be sung by Bert Wheeler and Dorothy Lee in a motion picture to be produced by us based on 'Girl Crazy.'

We hereby engage and employ you to write the musical number for us, upon the terms and conditions hereinafter provided. You agree to write the musical number for us; you will begin work upon the same immediately upon the execution hereof and you will deliver it to us as soon as possible after the date hereof, but in any event not later than December 7, 1931…

In consideration of your services in writing and composing the musical number and of the rights herein granted and agreed to be granted to us and the warranties herein made, we will pay you, upon delivery to us of the musical number, the sum of Two thousand ($2000) dollars..."

According to George Gershwin's biographer, Edward Jablonski, "Girl Crazy" remains "one of [the brothers'] most inspired scores, including as it does the classic 'I Got Rhythm' [and] 'Embraceable You'. 'Girl Crazy' converted the Alvin box office into a gold mine after its opening on October 14, 1930." Said one observer, as quoted in Jablonski, "The premiere performance was conducted by George Gershwin, and he got as much applause as anyone on the stage." American theater critic Brooks Atkinson called the theatrical production of "Girl Crazy" "an agreeable diversion," and predicted that it would last. It did: for 272 performances.

Jablonski continued: "The single Hollywood assignment of the next year, 1932, was one song, 'You've Got What Gets Me,' for the film version of 'Girl Crazy,' starring the team of (Bert) Wheeler and (Robert) Woolsey. The studio's song doctors by not very deft surgery eliminated most of the Broadway score (although inexplicably retaining 'Barbary Coast' and the Mexican Dance as instrumental pieces). 'But Not For Me,' 'Bidin' My Time' and 'I Got Rhythm' were all that remained of the original. The song which the Gershwins wrote was taken from 'Those Eyes,' also known as 'Your Eyes, Your Smile,' which was shelved by a producer five years earlier, but which the Gershwins preserved for later use. When called upon to write this new song for the film version, "the brothers remembered the bridge (the B section between choruses) [and from it,] developed the main strain of the chorus of 'You've Got What Gets Me.'"

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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  • Dimensions: clamshell case: 9.375" x 11.5" x .625"
  • Medium: DS

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