John Ford Contract with MGM (Mayer) for Ford's services as director

Typed Document Signed by Ford as Director and Mayer as Vice President of MGM studios, a contract between Ford and MGM for services as director, 4 separate 4to pages, Culver City, May 3, 1932, also initialed on first page by both. The document addressed to "Mr. Ford," reads in part, "This will confirm the following agreement between us...We...engage your services solely and exclusively for us as a director to direct one photo play to be selected and designated by us...in silent and/or sound versions...we agree to give you credit on the screen and in advertising...." The film Ford would direct, "Flesh," would be his first for MGM. Two punch holes on top margin of each page, slight crimping on top margin and lower left corner of first page.

With two original dramatic full length set test black and white photographs, unsigned, from the set of another of Ford's films, "Steamboat Around the Bend" (1935), released by another studio. Each image measures 8" x 10". One image shows five steamboats and a large dock with cast and crew working on the next scene. One image shows a large steamboat with cast aboard. The film, "Steamboat Around the Bend," starred Will Rogers. On verso of both photographs are remnants of tape removal, and chip and small crack in lower corners of photo showing cast aboard the steamship. Autograph