Boy Screen Star’s Future

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 10, 13 January 1936, Page 10

Boy Screen Star’s Future

OCEAN ’PHONE TALK WITH ' LAWYER His parents or his aunt? That is the important question—perhaps the most important decision he will make in his film career—Freddie Bartholomew, the 11-year-old £250-a-week English film star, may have Io face in a few Jays. About IS months ago Freddie journeyed to lhe United tSlates witti his aunt, Miss Millicent. Bartholomew, lor a "holiday.” Since then he has .featured in sumo of lhe biggest film hits of the year and also .-igned a seven year’s contract. During a recent weekend a “bombshell was dropped” in lhe home of his parents, Mr. and Airs. Cecil Bartholomew, at Barnes, when it was learned that the aunt is applying in the American Courts for full legal guardiansnin of the boy. A reporter talked with Mr. Felix Cunningham, the legal representative of Miss Millicent Bartholomew in Hollywuud, uver the wireless-telephone. ■'Legally, 1 suppose, the parents have the right to say what Freddie shad do and where he shall live, for the time being at any rate,” said Mr Cunningham. "But 1 think it would be almost a tragedy for them to try to du anything that would in any way interfere with his screen career at this side. “You have to remember m England that Freddie is an astounding young man and that his financial affairs in Hollywood are very complicated. It is absolutely necessary that somebody should be appointed legal guardian to administer those affairs. “An application has already been made to the courts here for Freddie's I aunt to take legal charge of his affairs, in this country, and on October 22 the court’s ruling is expected to be made known. “Freddie is a gifted and brilliant boy and there are contracts waiting for him that open up a golden future. “He certainly will not be allowed I ■ return without a serious fight.” But Freddie’s parents are determined to bring their son back to this country. They state that they had no idea he was going to make films when he went to America. They understood that it was purely a holiday visit.