FIGHT WITH STUDIOS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21414, 11 February 1933, Page 11 (Supplement)

FIGHT WITH STUDIOS

JAMES CAGNEY'S SALARY James Cagney has returned to work at the Warner Brothers' Hollywood studio. Five months ago Cagney demanded that his contract salary should be increased from £350 weekly to £1125, and, meeting with a refusal, walked out of the studio. When both sides threatened legal action, conciliation was effected by the Hollywood , Academy of Pictures Arts and Sciences. " Cagney has won a complete victory," writes an American commentator. " He said he would not return to work for Warners unless he got £1125 a week. He is going to get just that. The new deal is a complete new contract calling for £875 a week, plus a bonus of £250 every seven days, if at the end of the year it is agreed that ho has ' behaved himself.' " Cagney himself, ii£»& signed statement issued from the studio, denies the victory. " I returned to Warners under my contract," he says. "My salary was £350 a week, and the next option, due on September 15, gave me £437 a week. That is my salary now, and will be for the next year. My contract calls for yearly options, the next one coming up in August." Whether the actor has won his " walkout " or not, all sides are agreed that his stand for the salary he considered himself worth has cost him £7350 —the amount he would have earned if he had remained at work. Meanwhile, it is reported from Hollywood, Carole Lombard, who had been loaned to Warners by has refused to appear with Cagney. Cag : ney's next film is to be called " Bad Boy."