HOLLYWOOD'S TERROR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 253, 26 October 1931, Page 5

HOLLYWOOD'S TERROR.

KIDNAPPING ™ RACKET."

NEWSPAPERS KEEP SILENT.

■For some months -past wealthy and famous figures in the "film world, of Hollywood and Beverly Hills have been subjected to a form of terrorism from gangsters/who have drifted there from the eastern cities of the United States. Kidnapping has. been the favourite pursuit of these. gunmen, but although many"; screen players and producers have been held for ransom —one for as much as £15,000—little news has leaked out, and almost nothing has been said in the newspapers. .- • • • ' '. ' The victims have gladly bought, their' release,' terrorised by threats of facial disfigurement and adverse publicity. Another reason for silence on the, part of the newspapers is that Southern California derives much of its great prosperity from the tourist trade. * Should reports of these conditions be given wide circulation, the loss to local business would be serious. ■

Precautions are taken by film stars and others, who go about armed or ;

escorted by guards, when they leave their homes or studios. Women have taken to carrying revolvers to bridge and dinner parties, and at many of the late night conferences among .producers at the studios the arrivals produce pistols and lay them 6n the table before discussing business.