DS, two pages, 8.5 x 11, November 7, 1937. Agreement between Gershwin and Samuel Goldwyn Inc. In part: “This will confirm the following agreement between us with reference to that certain contract between you and George Gershwin and me dated December 3, 1936, as heretofore supplemented and amended: I agree that any and all provisions of said contract as supplemented and amended and particularly, but not limiting the same to, the provisions of paragraph 8 of said contract, whereby the interpolation in the photoplay referred to in said contract of any songs or musical material not written or composed by George Gershwin is prohibited, shall be and the same are hereby waived to the extent necessary to permit the use…with said photoplay of songs and/or musical material composed by Vernon Duke and to permit the use in and/or in connection with said photoplay of songs…
Subsequent to the death of George Gershwin (which occurred on July 11, 1937) I continued to render my services under said contract and I was later recalled by you to render and rendered further services thereunder. With my consent you engaged Vernon Duke to compose the music for and to collaborate with me in completing various unfinished compositions which had been started by George Gershwin and in composing and collaborating with me in the composition of various additional compositions for the photoplay referred to in said contract. I acknowledge that all compensation payable by you under said contract has been paid in full…It is understood that the provisions of paragraph 6 of said contract shall apply to the compositions which had been commenced by George Gershwin and me prior to the death of George Gershwin and which were completed by Vernon Duke or me or by both of us acting in collaboration, with the same force and effect as though said compositions had been written in their entirety by George Gershwin and me.” In fine condition, with punch holes and fasteners to top edge, as well as a rusty paperclip mark, and a few mild wrinkles.
In 1936, George and Ira Gershwin signed a contract with Samuel Goldwyn to work on The Goldwyn Follies, a musical extravaganza and the first Technicolor film produced by the studio. The following June, however, George collapsed while working on the Follies score in Hollywood. He died of a brain tumor days later at the age of 38, ending the Gershwins’ unparalleled collaboration. Ira would not write for three years following his brother’s death.
This document signed by Ira arranges for the completion of the brothers’ work on Follies, namely George’s unfinished score by Vernon Duke. Duke was a Russian-American composer and songwriter whose best known songs include “I Can’t Get Started” (with lyrics by Ira) and “Autumn in New York.” The Goldwyn Follies was released in 1938 starring Adolphe Menjou, Edgar Bergen (with Charlie McCarthy) and others. With a then-astonishing budget of $2 million, the production featured the music of the Gershwins, ballet, ventriloquism, singers from the Metropolitan Opera, and slapstick comedy. It was a flop at the box office and Goldwyn lost half its investment. A remarkable document involving the last score the Gershwins ever composed together. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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