STUDIO “LET OUTS.”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXXII, Issue 2763, 17 August 1931, Page 2

STUDIO “LET OUTS.”

well known Favourites POSSIBLY CH'ANGING LOCATION. Important changes are by no means unlikely and indications are that quite a number of contracts will not be renewed. , "Whether this means that the stars concerned will be lost to pictures or whether they will just transfer over to other studios-has yet to be determined. Jack Oakie and Paramount have parted, and the juvenile is now a freelance player, which of course means that he is available for any studio bidding for his services, even if only on a “one picture” salary. It seems Oakie asked Paramount for new terms and elected to have his old contract destroyed. When this request was granted Oakie was just “let go” as no renewal of the contract was forthcoming. Meanwhile Paramount has shelved two pictures which were slated for the bubbling youngster. Also on the Paramount lot are three more “not wanteds.” They are Jean Arthur,'Fay Wray and Mary Brian, whose contracts are not to be,renewed. All were .prominent ingenues, but the stqdio figures they will never rise to the status even of potential stars. Paramount says freely that three new feminine' “possibilities” could be had for the price asked by any one of the three who are being let go. Mary Brian has been with this stiidio for six years; Fay Wray for four years, and Jean Arthur for three years. And now it is John .Barrymore who, at present, is “out” of pictures. He .was let go by Warners, and though little is known what caused the trouble it is generally regarded they disagreed on the salary question. His last picture was “The Mad Genius,” and he quitted the studio when it was done. Paramount is said to be making overtures for Mr Barrymore's services. The player was due back in Hollywood at the time the last mail left from a yachting trip into Mexican waters. He expects to leave immediately for Alaska to. hunt/ apparently deciding to forget pictures for a time.