HERO-WORSHIP CEASES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20385, 14 October 1929, Page 11

HERO-WORSHIP CEASES.

EXPERIENCE OF ACTOR.

READING MURDER MYSTERY..

NOTORIETY NOT APPRECIATED,

Australian and N.Z. Press Association(Received October 12, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 11. Philip Yalo Drew, the actor who was tho central figure in tho Reading murder case, is no longer a local idol. Th ( e orgy of hero-worship ceased as suddenly as it began.

Drew now can walk with tho samo freedom as any other person. Yesterday his Appearance in tho streets held up tho traffic and thousands of people cheered him. To-day in his solitude Drew is like an actor who has lost his audience.' When ho posed for photographers outside his hotel not more thanf a dozen loiterers looked on. lie says candidly he is an actor who likes publicity, but is perturbed by tho thought that ho may bo regarded as a notoriety-seeker. Askod whether he thought tho Reading inquest would have any effect on his career Drew repliod that ho did nob know. It might be a good thing, but notoriety might turn people against hi,rn« It would bo an anxious moment for him when ho made his next appearance on tho stage.

Producers had been tumbling over, themselves for his services. He had been offered £6O to appear for five minutes in a talkie film, but had decided nothing yet. It was easy to commercialise his publicity, but that was tho last thing ho intended to do.

The question of coroners' powers continues to bo widely discussed. Mr.. Martin, the Reading coroner, said Drew had been treated fairly and the inquest had been conducted in. a similar manner to all others. - ■ Mr. Martin said ho was inclined to agree that coroners' duties should be confined to determining ' the cause of death, but that and other points raised were matters for the Legislature.