FILM ACTION SETTLED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19892, 10 March 1928, Page 11

FILM ACTION SETTLED.

DAMAGES FOR PRODUCER. TRIBUTES TO ABILITIES. (Received March 0, 5.3 p.m.) A. and N.Z. March 8. The claim brought by Mr. J. D. Williams, who was. formerly .in the film business in Australia, against the British National Pictures, on. the ground of wrongful dismissal, has been settled. Mr. Williams is to receive an unnamed sum satisfactory to him, as well as costs. Defendants withdrew every aspersion and suggestion made against plaintiff, arid, expressed the opinion that the only cause of the difference was that the company had insufficient capital to give full scope to Mr. Williams' undoubted abilities as a highly-accomplished producer " and organiser of pictures. The Judge said he joined in the hope that the result of the litigation would be that Mr. Williams would in no way be impaired in future in exercising the abilities he undoubtedly possessed.' In opening the case for plaintiff in the case referred to in the message, Sir Patrick Hastings said Mr. Williams was an American, and one of the founders of the First National Company. • He was engaged as managing director for 10 years at a salary of £SOOO a year. He set about establishing a large and prosperous' business, as a rival to American producers. It was ah expensive because in the film business the stars demanded exorbitant salaries, and also the best suites of rooms in the best hotels, not only for themselves bub also for the mother.' who generally accompanied the star. The company alleged that Williams was extravagant. The only defence seemed to be that he refused to obey the orders of a committee which was established to run the company.