GENEROUS FILM STARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 84, 10 April 1937, Page 5 (Supplement)

GENEROUS FILM STARS.

Many Benefits To Relatives.

JOBS, HOMES AND HOLIDAYS PROVIDED.

ttffOW sharper than a serpent's tooth J"1 it is to have a thankless child." If Shakespeare had lived in modern Hollywood, he might have added: "And how much sharper it is to support a thankless relative." Film folk are a generous tribe. They also have swarmj of relatives. The two facts are closely allied. Whenever a newcomer strikes "movie" gold, a swarm of loving dependents appears from the nowhere and moves in. Alice Faye, who makes her greatest impression to date in "On the Avenue," suffered a similar public opinion d'justice a year ago when accused of allowing her father to die destitute in a New York charity hospital. Briefly, the facta were these: The Faye family, planning to spend Christmas in New York, sent Mr. Faye ahead—at his daughter's expense—to make arrangements. He registered at a small hotel, suffered a heart attack during the night, and the hotel manager, unaware

that his daughter was a well-known screen actress, sent him as ,» matter of routine to a charity hospftil, where he died a few hours later. As a result of toe unpleasant publicity and shock of her father's death. Alice was herself in hospital for several months. The blonde actress has always done well by her kith and kin, supporting her mother and eorrently employing her brother as her business agent. Stan Attacked by Relatives. A couple of years ago Mary Astor was given a public trouncing when her aged parents sued for insufficient support. At the subsequent Court proceedings it was learned that Miss Astor already had given her mother and father a 60,000 dollar home, plus a good-look-ing weekly cheque. They were piqued, however, because she refused to install a swimming pool for them.

Victor McLaglen is another star who is harassed by members of his family. A few years ago he was accused by a brother of preventing him from enjoying * successful "movie" career. The suit was dropped when Vic proved he was subsidising this brother under the nomin®l title of manager of McLaglen Sports Activities. Three brothers are at present on his pay roll, two directing activities at the McLaglen sports amphitheatre. The other is Vic's "stand-in" for his current picture with Shirley Temple, "Wee Willie Winkle." In the days when Tom Mix was a star *t Universal a relative informed him that unless he paid her 50 dollars a month she would wear rags, sit in front of the studio, tell everyone who she was, and that she was starving while Tom wallowed in luxury. She made good her threat, and was paid off by the actor, who disliked the attendant harmful publicity.

Two Hollywood couples who do more than their share of supporting dependants are the A 1 Jolsons and Dick Powells. Mrs. Jolson (Ruby Keeler) bought a large house for her mother, sister and brothers in the expensive Toluca Lake district before building her own home at Encino. Joan Blondell has been the main financial prop of her

family since the vaudeville collapse of "Ed Blondell and Co." Dick Powell senda frequent cheques to his mother and father in Arkansas, and AI Joleon be are his share of family obligations by supporting mother and father in Washington, D.C., and giving older brother Harry a well-paid job as his agent. Parents' Homes With Children. There is a story behind the purchase by youthful Anne Shirley of a 50,000 dollar annuity for her mother. When Anne was four years old Producer Herbert Brennon offered this sum to her mother for adoption. Mrs. Mini Shirley refused, and the grateful daughter is now making good her mother's financial loss. Mothers who live with their children include those of Bette Davis, whose parent has made her home with her since the start of her career; Anita Louise, aged 21, but long the support of her maternal parent; Jeanette Mac Donald, Gene Raymond, Jack Oakie, Janet

Beecher, Beverly Roberts, and Ginger Rogers, who has deeded lock, stock and barrel of the large home she is building in Beverly Hillg to Mrs. Lela Rogers. Joan Crawford contributes to the monetary well-being of her mother, Bister, brother and niece. Brother Hal in particular has been on the receiving end of his sister's generosity, obtaining through Joan jobs as assistant director and general help on various studio "sets." At the time of his marriage, the star financed her sister-in-law's millinery shop, boosting sales by purchasing her hats there. • Little Freddie Bartholomew "honours his father and ; mother," aunt and sisters to/the tune of 800 dollars a month to his aunt for support and maintenance of his home, 10 per cent of his earnings (2000 dollars a week) to parents. Also 5 per cent from the same capital to each of his two sisters.

Recent publicity accorded Robert Taylor anent Grandfather Jacob Br ugh'a penniless position was unfair to the unsuspecting actor, who has supported mother and family ever since his pay cheque made it possible.

The greatest example of a film personage's devotion to relatives concerns kindly Carl Laemnile, former boss of Universal studios. Mr. Laemmle, over a period of some 15 years, brought some 70 or 80 members of his family into the United States for the purpose of employing them at the studio.