This document is a fascinating companion piece to Brando's primary studio contract, amending the terms of his initial agreement dated just one day prior. It offers a remarkable glimpse into the contractual power of a rising star fresh off his acclaimed performance in A Streetcar Named Desire.
The letter confirms three crucial amendments to his contract:
1. Option Extension: Grants Fox the right to extend his initial five-year option period for an additional two years under the same financial terms, with notice required by June 1, 1956.
2. Role and Script Guarantee: The studio guarantees Brando a minimum of two (2) starring roles per annum, crucially granting him script approval for at least one (1) of said productions each year—a significant concession indicating his growing influence.
3. Remedy for Breach: Establishes that if the studio fails to exercise the option on time or breaches the guaranteed roles provision, Brando retains the right to terminate the agreement without penalty, with all prior compensation remaining "irrevocably vested."
This is not merely a contract, but a historical artifact documenting the formal negotiation of artistic control by one of the 20th century's most transformative actors. It is a tangible piece of Hollywood's Golden Age, illustrating the transition of power from the all-controlling studio system to the rise of the actor as a creative force.