BATTLE WITH STUDIO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1940, Page 9

BATTLE WITH STUDIO

DON AMECHE LIKELY TO WIN. Studios have whipped insubordination almost 100 per cent in the past few years, but it appears now that Don Ameche - will chalk up a victory in his current battle with Twentieth Century-FOx.

Amechc refused to accept loan-out for what he charged was an unsavoury role, and was promptly taken off the salary list. Then the studio discovered he was needed badly for retakes on “Lillian Russell,” an important musical Don had just finished before the quarrel. Without Ameche’s return ■it is doubtful whether the film can be released. Therefore, a reconciliation scene is said to be definitely slated. If Ameche gets his back pay, escapes settlement on a 50,000-dollar damage claim made by Paramount for his “default,” and is restored to his old good graces on the lot, it will mark the first lime in four years or more that a studio has been beaten in player altercations. Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, George Raft, John Garfield, Myrna Loy, Hedy Lamarr and Jimmy Cagney are a few of those who know.

But it wasn't always thus. In the silent days, the star ruled the studio, and with an iron hand. Gloria Swanson and Pola Negri made life a nightmare for gents up front, and seldom issued an ultimatum that wasn't obeyed io the letter.

In 1928, a million-dollar picture was jeopardised when an important feminine star, jealous of the breaks she thought a supporting player was getting in the close-ups, walked out in the midst of the production. The studio was in an uproar as the star packed up and fled to New York. An anguished vice-president set off in hot pursuit, and after two weeks of pleading and promising—with the overhead raging at 20,000 dollars a day—the star consented to forgive all and return. But when shooting had resumed the

star’s salary had been raised 20 per cent. Also, they started the film from scratch —with the actress who had aroused her disfavour removed from the cast.

In the past five years, Hollywood studios have successfully ganged up on actor temperament, and the player who disobeys orders, walks Off the lot. or otherwise incurs front office displeasure, has approximately one chance in fifty of making his argument stick. So. Hollywood today is full of disgruntled players, mumbling and threatening under their breaths —but holding their tongues in the boss's presence.