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Document 259149

IRVING G. THALBERG
Warner Bros. lends MGM an actor for the German language version of their Academy Award-winning prison film, The Big House.
Typed DS: "I. Thalberg" as Vice President of MGM, 3p, 8½x11. Burbank, California, 1931 January 31. Initialed "IGT" at right margin of first page. In letter form from Warner Bros. to Thalberg, who has approved and accepted its contents on behalf of MGM. Also signed by an assistant secretary at Warner Bros. In part: "This is to confirm our understanding of the arrangement we have made to loan to you the exclusive services of ANTON POINTNER...for the portrayal of the role to be designated by you in the German language version of the photoplay now entitled 'THE BIG HOUSE' to be produced by you...You agree to pay us for the artist's services the sum of Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.00) per week...for a period of not less than two (2) weeks...you will provide at your own expense all character or period costumes...." MGM's The Big House had won two 1929-1930 Academy Awards (Best Writing, Best Sound Recording) and was nominated for two others: Best Picture (produced by Irving Thalberg) and Best Actor (Wallace Beery). The Big House established not only the grimy view of prison life but also a whole new glossary of slang terms and movie "types" -- from the firm but kindly prison chaplain to the embittered lifer. ANTON POINTNER (1894-1949) starred in 73 German-language films from 1921-1949. We can find no record of an MGM German version of The Big House or of Pointner starring in such a film. IRVING THALBERG (1899-1936) died of pneumonia at the age of 37. In 1937, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences created the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to honor high-quality production achievements. Lightly creased. Folds, light horizontal fold touches the upper portion of Thalberg's signature. Staple holes and file holes at upper blank margin, 1x¼-inch portion of paper torn away above one of the file holes. Overall, fine condition.

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