Original Master Contract in Which Marlon Brando Agrees to Star in the Film, Viva Zapata
signed
April 11, 1951 · Los Angeles
by BRANDO, MARLON
Los Angeles: 13 pages, 8 1/2x11 inches, April 11, 1951. A superb historic film contract with the original blue paper folder on which is typed: “AGREEMENT Between TWENTIETH CENTURY-FOX FILM CORPORATION and MARLON BRANDO - ACTOR to portray role of ‘Zapata’ in our production ‘Zapata’”. The first page has the striking Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation Logo familiar as the image at the beginning of the company’s films and the contract states that Marlon Brando is “...entering our employ to render your services for us as an actor in connection with the portrayal of the role ‘Zapata’ in the production of our motion picture now tentatively entitled ‘ZAPATA’ to be hereafter produced ad created by us.....” Signed in blue ink at the end by Marlon Brando and his signature is notorized by a public notary. The contract details Brando’s compensation and obligations in the creation of the film. This contract was Twentieth Century-Fox’s own master original contract and has remained in their files until it was put up for auction by the corporation to raise money for the Motion Picture Fund. Contracts of this quality rarely appear on the market. Brando’s performance as Mexican revolutionary, Emiliano Zapata, is among his greatest performances. Along with A Streetcar Named Desire and On the Waterfront, Viva Zapata is one of Marlon Brando’s three masterwork films under the direction of Elia Kazan. (Inventory #: 13662J)