If Film Business Collapsed

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21090, 16 July 1938, Page 22

If Film Business Collapsed

Stars With Assured Incomes

“TF the worst comes,” says Clark Gable, * “I have about £lB 12s 6d a week for life.” Norma Shearer is in another class. Should she abandon picture-making she has—invested in M.G.M. and in other securities left by her late husband. Irving Thalberg—over £750.000. According to Harold Heffernan of the North American Newspaper Alliance the actors of Hollywood have suddenly become financial-minded. The reason is that studios are beginning a concerted action to beat down the high salaries which have been paid for the last few years. Favourites of long standing are feeling the pinch. Newcomers are finding that their options are not being taken up. Stars and featured players are being asked to overlook certain references to salary increases mentioned in contracts. A survey of the position seems to indicate that most top-ranking players have little to worry about. If all today’s headliners received notice in tomorrow’s mail that six months hence they would be out of pictures, officially and finally, the gloom would be thick enough to be dished out with a spoon—but there would be very little financial apprehension. Many of to-day’s celluloid pets have accumulated substantial backlogs of savings. insurance and annuities, Government and other bonds. Most stars leave all those crass matters to members of a n *w profession that has sprung up out here in recent years—the business manager. These money spending—and saving—experts collect salaries, hire servants, pay bills, set personal allowances, and handie all other money details. From these conservators it is possible to obtain a fairly accurate idea of the wealth of the stars, and of their prospects of keeping off the bread-line should fat contracts be suddenly torn up. The easiest time of all active stars would be enjoyed by Norma Shearer, who owns over £750.000 ir Loew’s (M.G.M.) stock and ■' lot of ot icj solidly invested money—the legacy of her late

slightly, stirring well. Butter ramekin cases and half fill with macaroni. Fill with cheese custard, sprinkle liberally with breadcrumbs, stand in pan of hot water, and bake in moderate oven 25 to 30 minutes, or till well set. Serve at once. Orange Walnut Cake. Two ounces butter, 4oz. sugar, 2 eggs, 2oz. chopped walnuts, rind and juice 1 orange, 6oz. plain flour, A teaspoon baking powder. Crearn butter and sugar,

husband, Irving G. Thalberg. Carole Lomoard would begin leaning on the £lBO.OOO cash and liquid securities she lias rolled up rapidly withb the last few years. Gary Cooper c< uld scare off the wolf with a quick cash round-up of close to £250.000. Associates of the secretive Kay Francis believe this stately brunette. who plans to retire ’• fore her wedding in the autumn, must have saved at least £125.0Cu in hei seven years of movie work. Bette Davis is not so well off as she might have been had she not essayed a lor legal battle with Warner Brothers two years ago—one v.hich, according to her own statement, left her “broke.” But with a fresh start and fortunate investments. she could count on an income of at least £5O each month. Dick Powell is a careful spender and a wise saver, and he has taught his wife, Joan Blondell. a lot of those tricks. Together, they would be worth approximately £60.000 six months from now—and could live quite comfortably from investment Clark Gable has been investing a definite portion of his savings in a muities for the last six years. “I have £lB 12s 6d a week coming in for the rest of my life—no matter what .lappem ’ Gable told this writer the other day. “I’ve often lived on an awful lot less than that.” Joan Crawford indicated her financial affairs have been well administered and that a six months’ notice wouldn’- make he a burden on Franchot Tone for support. “I could live well, but not sumptuously,” said Joan. If Jimmy Cagney has not saved between £75.000 and £lOO.OOO during his nine years in Hollywood, he’s a much worse book-keeper than friends think. Cagney would draw about £5O a week for life if he suddenly stopped work and drew no more salary. Pat O’Brien, one of Cagney’s closest friends, isn’t worried either. “I can live as I’ve been used to living whether my option is picked up or not.” said Pat. “And that’s a mighty comfort: ble feeling.” Paul Muni and Edward G Robinson

add well-beaten eggs, then orange rind and juice, then sifted flour and baking powder, lastly the finely-chopped nuts. Pour into baking disk, or two coconutbar tins. Bake in moderate oven 30 to 40 minutes. Turn on to cake-cooler. When cold, ice with orange icing and decorate with walnuts. Asparagus Eggs. Four eggs, 4 rounds of toasted bread, 12 stalks asparagus, yolk 1 egg, 2 tablespoons vinegar, salt, cayenne, 2 table-

are secretive about their Investments and so are their agents. Robinson, of course, ha a small fortune tied up in paintings which might be sold (or pawned) for a month’s rent and cheese and biscuits, but he depends more on annuities and insurance policies to protect himself and family. Spencer Tracy, Robert Taylor, Robert Montgomery, Lewis Stone. Lionel Barrymore, Claudette Colbeit. William Powell are a few of dozens who have made way for to-morrow via annuities and giltedged securities.