Patty Duke: Claim To GOLDA Fame?

Courthouse News is reporting that the verdict is still out on actress Patty Duke's claims that Golda's Balcony producers are in breach of contract for firing - or rather, not officially hiring - the star from the international tour of Broadway's wildly successful Golda's Balcony, the one-woman show about Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir that starred Tovah Feldshuh on Broadway.  Golda's Balcony stands as the longest-running one woman show to play Broadway.

According to Duke, not only was a verbal agreement reached over the phone and all deal points agreed upon, she even received an e-mail from Golda's management claiming: "I hope I didn't put too much pressure on you ... you're my Golda, I'm certain you'll be ready to play her."  Duke claims that she turned down a television series to begin preparing for the role, she was so certain it was a done deal.

Problem was there was no signed contract as of yet, not uncommon in the theater world, as actors become attached to projects before formal deals are executed, and ultimately the producer's decided not to offer Duke the role.

Writes Judge Wood who presided over the recent hearing, "Whether parties intended to be bound only by written contract is a question of fact that is usually best determined by a jury at trial; it is rarely appropriate for a court to resolve the issue on summary judgment." 

To read the full report in Court Room News, click here.

Patty Duke has appeared on Broadway as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker, a role which she recreated on film and won an Academy Award.  Additional Broadway Credits include: Isle of Children and Oklahoma.  Her television credits include The Patty Duke Show, while her most notable film appearance was that in Valley of The Dolls.  She is an Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy recipient. She was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild (1985 to 1988) and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder or manic depression in 1982, and since then has devoted most of her time to advocating and educating the public on mental health issues.