Robert Geddes Sues Producer

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 30

Robert Geddes Sues Producer

AUCKLANDER IN NEW YORK ALLEGES BROKEN CONTRACT Robert Geddes, the Aucklander who has won considerable fame overseas, is engaged in a court action with an American producer. An American exchange states that a controversy betw r een Guy Bolton, librettist, now a member of the firm producing “Top Speed” in New York, and Robert Geddes, juvenile, who claims that Bolton has repudiated an agreement with him whereby Bolton contracted to provide him with 20 weeks’ work for each of two years, is scheduled for a hearing before a board of the American Arbitration Association. Geddes charges that he received only two weeks’ work from the Bolton association during the first year just elapsed and that Boltou has refused to pay him the 18 weeks’ salary due under his guarantee. The actor asserts also that Boltou has stated he is not bound by the contract. Bolton’s position is that Arthur Hammerstein took over his contract with Geddes when he placed the actor in “Good Boy.” Hammerstein, however, denies responsibility. Geddes seeks to have the arbitration board rule that Bolton is bound by the contract to pay him for the guaranteed period and for a declaratory judgment to the effect that Bolton must make good on the contract for the remaining year. The case is of great interest to stage folk and the verdict will no doubt govern future contracts. “Bob” Geddes toured with several J. C. Williamson companies before leavii% for England, where he obtained London engagements and understudied Derek Oldham in “Rose Marie.” Two years ago he went to New York, where he appeared in several musical productions. Latterly he has been making talking films.