QUARREL WITH COMPANY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22320, 18 January 1936, Page 14 (Supplement)

QUARREL WITH COMPANY

MAE WEST AND EXECUTIVES THOUGHT TOO TEMPERAMENTAL There is trouble between Mae West and the Paramount studio. According to American reports she contemplates going to another company as soon as her present picture, "Klondyke Lou," is finished.

Paramount complain that Miss West is too autocratic and temperamental. She has always insisted on writing her own stories and dialogue, and lately she has been demanding more control over the direction, the choice of supporting players and cameramen, and other matters ordinarily left to the director and producer. Disputes between Miss West and Ernst Lubitsch, production head of Paramount, ended in his turning "Klondyke Lou" over to an assistant producer. The trouble began when her cameraman was given to Bing Crosby. She complained that the substitute did not understand how she should be photographed and lighted. Another cameraman was appointed, but he had worked only one day when the assistant to her first cameraman was called in and given the job. Differences about the treatment of the story then arose. Miss West .fell behind with the script, and worked on it, it is said, in time that should have

been devoted to "shooting." The studio notified her that, if she did not work on it at home and keep ahead of production, another writer would be assigned to the task. Another complaint by the studio was that the production was 23 days late. Her pictures are generally behind schedule. "Klondyke Lou" was to have cost £150,000. Owing to delays and Miss West's successful demand for double salary because the company was not ready to begin work at the stipulated time, the cost will be £200,000. For the making of this picture Miss West is being paid £2OOO a week. Should she do another picture this will bo reduced to £IOOO a week.