HAMMETT DASHIELL: (1894-1961) American author of hardboiled detective fiction including The Maltese Falcon (1930). Hammett's novels had a large influence on films, particularly in the genres of detective fiction, mystery thrillers and film noir. D.S., Dashiell Hammett, three pages, 4to, New York, 23^rd October 1934, The typed document takes the form of a letter to Hammett from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation and outlines an agreement between them in nine numbered clauses in which Hammett is to travel to Culver City and 'upon arrival at our Studios you will begin writing for us, under our supervision and in accordance with our suggestions, a full and complete original story, which will be a sequel to “The Thin Man” and its characters and action previously written by you', further explaining that Hammett will receive a salary of $2000 per week (although not to exceed ten weeks) and that the full rights, story and copyright will solely belong to M-G-M, and that Hammett undertakes 'that this story as written will be original with you and the material therein contained will not infringe the literary, dramatic or other rights of others'. Signed by Hammett at the conclusion, in acceptance of the agreement, and countersigned by J. Robert Rubin, Vice-President of M-G-M. Together with a second document, bearing a secretarial signature of Hammett, in pencil, six pages, 4to, n.p., 11^th February 1937. The typed document takes the form of a letter to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corporation from Hammett in which the author agrees to grant M-G-M the complete rights 'so that you can, without further authority or license from me, or further employment of my services, create or have written further stories containing any or all of the characters that were in your said pictures “The Thin Man” and “After the Thin Man”, including particularly but without limitation the characters “Nick” and “Nora” and the dog “Asta”, and own these stories outright, and, among other things, produce motion pictures which are based upon such stories….' for which Hammett acknowledges having received a payment of $40,000. A significant pair of documents highlighting Hammett's involvement in the Thin Man film series, one of the most successful and enduring film franchises of the 1930s and 1940s. Two file holes to the upper edge of each page, none affecting the text or signatures, and with some very light, minimal age wear. VG, 2

 

The comedy-mystery film The Thin Man (1934) had premiered just five months before the first of the present contracts was signed by Hammett. The film, based on Hammett's novel of the same name, starred William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. It was such a box office success that it spawned five sequels, the first two of which, After the Thin Man (1936) and Another Thin Man (1939), were written by Hammett.