Historic 1983 Shirley Jones Hotel Pilot Contract Archive
This museum-grade, fully executed Actors Television Motion Picture Weekly Contract—dated March 17, 1983—stands as an exceptional artifact of modern television history, studio labor archaeology, and classic American screen biography. Personally hand-signed on the principal talent execution panel by Academy Award-winning actress and musical cinema icon Shirley Jones, this multi-page legal instrument structures her casting parameters under the ultimate prime-time television hitmaker, Aaron Spelling Productions, Inc.
Executed during a mature, highly successful corridor of her career—tracking her transition from her generation-defining role as Shirley Partridge on The Partridge Family to a top-tier dramatic guest star—this document captures Jones using her elite Hollywood industry rank to secure premium prime-time television terms.
Production Specifications & Financial Covenants
The multi-page agreement, managed care of her powerhouse representatives at International Creative Management (ICM) in Beverly Hills, outlines an elite financial and operational matrix:
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The Flagship Pilot Booking: Casts Jones in the primary guest persona of "Claire" for the high-stakes, hour-long pilot of the celebrated prime-time anthology drama series Hotel (Production No. 24).
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High-Value Salary Structure: Engages the actress on a premium weekly basis, guaranteeing a total sum of $35,000.00 computed via a $17,500.00 weekly salary for a two-week block commencing March 21, 1983. It enforces an ironclad daily override of $5,000.00 for any additional days.
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Rigid Availability Bounds: Highlighting her heavy professional demand, an explicit timeline boundary mandates: “Company acknowledges that Player shall not be available after April 8, 1983.”
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Separate Card Screen Credits: Special Provision 6 legally mandates an elite credit configuration, printing her name as: “Guest star, in alphabetical order with all other guest stars, on a separate card in the main titles.”
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Luxury Location Travel: Forces the studio to furnish two first-class round-trip airfares between Los Angeles and San Francisco, first-class hotel accommodations, and a $100.00 daily living per diem.
Advanced Studio Protection Riders & Autograph Pedigree
The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) compliant agreement features highly sophisticated legal architecture, including a unique services equitable injunction, a 2.5% merchandising royalty share, perpetual global studio ownership, and a rigid public morals clause.
The final page layout houses an exceptional presentation of talent and executive validations:
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Pristine Jones Signature: Positioned flawlessly across the primary line designated "PLAYER: SHIRLEY JONES", the Hollywood legend hand-penned an exhibition-quality legal signature: "Shirley Jones". Written in fluid, light ink, her script captures her classic, distinct cursive calligraphy, highlighted by an elegant, elongated capital "S" and a sweeping capital "J."
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Executive Counter-Signature: The contract is officially authorized on behalf of Aaron Spelling Productions, Inc. by a senior studio executive, who has penned a powerful, highly complex signature in rich dark ink.
Archival Condition
Dating back over four decades, the original vintage bond contract pages remain in magnificent, pristine condition with sharp corners and clean edges. Free from surface creases, smudging, or paper decay, the sheets print standard document catalog system keys (“H&H #24 (1/83)”). This certified archive portfolio represents the absolute zenith of premium 1980s network television heritage collecting.
