SILENT MOVIE STAR SIGNS $3 MILLION CONTRACT
Chicago, Illinois (JFK+50) On May 22, 1923, silent movie actor Larry Semon* signed a contract with Truart Film Corporation** which will pay him "$1,000,000 a year for three years."
The Alaska Daily Empire reports that this represents "the largest individual contract ever closed in motion picture history."
By the terms of the agreement, Mr. Semon will complete six "super features" and comedies.
*Lawrence "Larry" Semon (1889-1928) was born in West Point, Mississippi & became an actor, director, producer & screenwriter in the silent movie industry.
LS appeared in 'The Wizard of Oz' (1925) & worked as a newspaper cartoonists before signing a contract with Vitagraph Studios (1915). He died of pneumonia brought on by financial distress.
**TFC produced & distributed silent films from 1921-1926.
SOURCE
"Movie Star Will Receive Million Dollars a Year," The Alaska Daily Empire, May 22, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
