A.F.P. Move

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 18 (Supplement)

A.F.P. Move

"ANTI-FAN PROTECTION "

At the recent premiere of "Wings of the Navy," held in San Diego, it seems that Rosemary Lane was " painfully jabbed in the eye by the pencil of an autograph-seeker." This unlucky accident has started some knotty thinking on the difficulty of providing any form of effective antifan protection for stars. The comments of W. R. Wilkerson, well known to Hollywood as the owner of,'the " Hollywood Reporter," throw a strange light on the attitude of the film";industry; to such risks. First, lie makes clear that: "Certainly nobody, least of all the stars themselves, wants to do anything which, will offend the paying customers: ' '

" The players themselves are aware of the fact that such acts, as the ouo which occurred to Rosemary Lane, are merely an unfortunate expression of' admiration and not intended to be destructive."

- On the other hand, he points out: " The major companies have huge investments in their stars. . . A serious injury, such as might result from the action of an over-enthusiastic fan, might cost the picture life of the player and hundreds of thousands of dollars to the studio. " Perhaps a partial solution might be found," Wilkerson concludes, " in a campaign to educate the public to show more consideration for the player they idolise." . You will see that the official consideration analysed above is more financial than human. But the solution has some sense to it. Honestly-admiring filmgoers certainly have no intention of tearing the objects of their admiration to pieces. They would probably be considerably more distressed —and more disinterestedly so —than the people who regard the stars as so much saleable flesh-and-blood to be protected for financial reasons.

Plan for Suppressing Temperament

William Wyler and Samuel Goldw.vn have a special side-contract to cover differences of temperament, according to an overseas writer. Twice director Wyler has walked out. Twico producer Goldwyn has recalled him as invaluable. Now, at every conference between them, each deposits a hundred-dollar note'on the desk. First to raise his voico in anger forfeits his money. So far "Wuthering Heights" has gone smoothly under this arrangement.