‘Rock Follies’ idea robbed from band

Press, 26 October 1982, Page 18

‘Rock Follies’ idea robbed from band

NZPA London A Hijgh Court judge in London has found that a Thames Television scriptwriter. Howard Schuman, and a producer. Andrew Brown, a former New Zealander, had robbed an all-women rock band and their manager of their idea for the television series. “Rock Follies,” and deprived them of the chance to become its stars. ■ In his summing-up. Mr Justice Hirst said he found Mr Schuman and Mr Brown “unimpressive in demeanour and untrustworthy in many parts of their evidence." His Honour decided that the three actresses who made up the group. Rock Bottom, and Mr Donald Fraser, their composeragent, were the inspiration behind the series, but they were ignored when Thames Television decided to go ahead with the production. His Honour said. He had been told that the stars of the two six-part series—Julie Covington, Rula Lenska, and Charlotte Cornwall—became famous. The Rock Bottom group— Gaye Brown, Diane Langton, and Annabel Leventon—broke up. He upheld the Rock Bot-

tom women's claim that Thames had used their idea and had based the characters in “Rock Follies” on the Rock Bottom band and Mr Fraser. Thames, he decided, was also in breach of contract entered into with the three Rock Bottom women to feature in the series. The company, with Mr Schuman and Mr Brown, were also all guilty of breaching the band's confidence. In his judgment. His Honour said, the court hearing had “demonstrated verynumerous. deep, contentious and sometimes bitter conflicts of fact. "My findings of fact inevitably turn substantially on my assessment of the witnesses. I found the plaintiffs impressive and convincing witnesses, particularly Miss Leventon, a key witness on the plaintiffs’ side. “So far as the defendants were concerned, I found Mr Schuman and Mr Brown unimpressive in demeanour and untrustworthy in many parts of their evidence." The costs of the eight-week High Court hearing, unofficially estimated at more than $250,000, will be discussed in court. Damages for the women and Mr Fraser

will be assessed later. Thames had denied all the allegations, claiming that the idea for the series came from Mr Schuman' and that the Rock Bottom group had breached the contract bv failing to comply with rehearsal and filming conditions. After the hearing the women and Mr Fraser said in a joint statement: “This case has totally vindicated our views and claims, and makes up. as far as any court case can do, for seven years of misery and worry. "Rock Bottom meant a great deal to all four of us. The Court has now upheld that it was our idea and that the confidentiality of such an idea is entitled to protection." Miss Leventon is now starring in the West End production. “Rocket to the Moon." Miss Langton is playing in the West End musical. "Windy City.” and Miss Brown has just completed two plays for Thames Television and Is going to Liverpool to take part in a new play. "Take My'Husband." Mr Brown recently produced the New Zealand film. "Bad Blood.” about the Stanley Graham killings on the West Coast in 1941.