FILM FIRM BANS BROADCASTS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 151, 22 March 1939, Page 15

FILM FIRM BANS BROADCASTS

Tyrone Power Gives Up

£lOOO A Week

The long-smouldering feud between the flips and the radio was brought into the open recently by the action of Twentieth Century Fox Co., which persuaded Tyrone Power to give up his Sunday night appearances before the microphone, for which he received £lOOO a week. Mr. Darryl Zanudk, one of -the studio’s vice-presidents, stated that this action was taken following the flood of complaints from owners of cinemas who believe that broadcasting by film 'stars adversely affects receipts. They argue that people stay at home to listen to their favourite stars instead of going to see them. Mr. Zanuck also expressed the opinion that frequent radio appearances harmed stars because of the lack of time for adequate preparation of their programmes, whereas the studios devote months to paving the way for a single screen appearance. It is doubtful whether other studios will join in the campaign to keep their leading actors and actresses off the air. Many believe that such appearances, which have now become a staple feature of the American listeners’ diet, are good publicity. In ftny case, the contracts of many stars would make it difficult for the studios to interfere with their radio work. In this category are Carole Lombard, Cary Grant, Ronald Colman, Katharine Hepburn and Eddie Cantor.