Lot 1653

BUSBY BERKELEY IS SAVED BY HOLLYWOOD'S BIGGEST 'FIXER' EDDIE MANNIX

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BUSBY BERKELEY IS SAVED BY HOLLYWOOD'S BIGGEST 'FIXER' EDDIE MANNIX

Estimate: $400 - $600

Starting Bid: $200

(0 Bids)

by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 31, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
106 East Main Street, Suite 103
Elkton, MD, US 21921

BUSBY BERKELEY IS SAVED BY HOLLYWOOD'S BIGGEST 'FIXER' EDDIE MANNIX
BUSBY BERKELEY (1895-1976) American film director and musical choreographer, best known for his collaboration with Warner Brothers in the early to mid-1930s. Berkeley devised elaborate musical production numbers that often involved complex patterns using large numbers of showgirls and props as fantasy elements in kaleidoscopic on-screen performances. An important multi-signed D.S. on MGM letterhead, 1p. 4to., Mar. 30, 1949, a loan agreement sent to Nicholas M. Schenck, right-hand man to Marcus Loew, president of the enormous chain of theaters and later head of production at MGM. In the document, the vice president of Loew's, LOUIS K. SIDNEY (1895-1958), advises Schenck: '...Under the terms of a Tax Settlement Agreement, Mr. Berkeley was required to pay the Treasury Department $6,500.00 not later than March 11, 1949. Otherwise, he would be in default under the agreement and in the absence of making payment as aforesaid there would become immediately due $96,000.00 in back taxes...' He explains that $6.500 had been wired to Berekely in the form of a loan which would be paid back at the rate of $600/week. The letter to Schenck is signed at bottom twice by Sidney. It is also signed by LOUIS B. MAYER (1885-1957) American film producer, a founder of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (M.G.M.) who discovered Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford and Rudolph Valentino. Mayer was an arch enemy of Schneck due to their battle for the control of Fox. Additionally signed by BENJAMIN THAU (1898-1983) vice-president of MGM and from 1928 in charge of casting. Most importantly, the document is signed by the mysterious Hollywood 'fixer' EDDIE MANNIX (1891-1963) who was paid to cover up Hollywood stars' often scandalous private lives to protect their public image and profitability for the studio. While married, Mannix began living with actress and Ziegfeld Follies dancer Toni Lanier, with whom he had been having an affair. Mannix was suspected of involvement in the death of actor George Reeves, the star of the television series Adventures of Superman. Reeves had begun having an affair with Mannix's wife Toni in 1951. Mannix reportedly approved of the affair, which was an open secret in Hollywood, while Mannix was simultaneously having a long-term affair of his own. Reeves ended the affair in early 1959, which devastated Toni. Reeves died of a gunshot wound to the head at his home on June 16, 1959. His death was ruled a suicide, but controversy has surrounded that ruling ever since. Rumors arose that Mannix, who was rumored to have had connections to organized crime, had arranged for Reeves to be murdered by a hitman. As for Busby Berkeley, he avoided jail and his onerous tax burden, but following a suicide attempt and a stay in a mental hospital three years earlier, his career was finished. Fine condition. Hollywood intrigue at its best!

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000