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Home , Bobby Breen, Jane Withers, Robert Warwick

Film Children Earn Fortunes

Youngaterl of .. Our Gang" comedy troupe enJoy an Ea.ter party. Left to right: ••Spanky" McFarland. Carl ••AUalfa" Swit.er. Darla Hood. and Billie ••Buckwheat" Thoma..

But Relatives Big Money for Little Stars • Topping the list of the juvenile stars of is none other than 8-year-old , whose income is a half mil- Row Over lion dollars a year. She's the pri:ed performer of Twentieth Cen- tury-Fox. In his suit for an accounting in October, 1936, Jack Hays, her former director, estimated the chiId's earnings iince 1932 .Money, had been one million from films and another million from royal- Mrs. Martha Holt with her two children. David and Betty. the firlt of ties. In 193<1·she was getting $1,000 a week and her mother was whom hal found a place in the filmL (ConuDued from page one.) getting an added $250 a week. "The studios are to blame," .agatnst another. It goes with- she says, ••only because they Reverberations of the battle Others in the big money are: out saying that the court bat- need children in pictures and over dollars still go on, as you tles' are the result of attempts pay the boys and girls large know it you have been reading : Par- SYBIL JASON: Warner amount. Ten. Court approved Brothers. Nine years old. Court by one party or the other to salaries. The money attracts the recent Taylor murder Inves- gain control of the child's earn- parents with eligible children tigations. ' contract Oct, 4, 193+, $50 to approved contract May 23, ings and refiect a selfish disre- to Hollywood. The parents will Virginia Lee Corbin sued her $250 a week over ~ven-year 1937, $150 a week. period. gard of the child'strue interests. do anything to attract the at- mother for an accounting of the : Twe n- : Uni. tieth Century-Fox. Ten. Court Miss Birdina Anderson" who tention of casting directors to funds she earned as a minor has been the studIo school their otrspring, and it's the chilo and seems to have had little versal. Fourteen. Court ap- approved contract Dec. 18, 193+. Salary $1,000 a week. teacher at Samuel Goldwyn's dren who sut'fer."· but a fractious disposition and proved contract July 2, 1936, $150 to $1,250 a week over SPANKY (GEORGE R.) Mc- studio for a number of years, What Miss Anderson finds so nervous trouble to show for a seven-year period. has a low regard for child stars' pathetic is the failure of young film career as a child. Virginia FARLAND: tBaht. Contract : M·G-M. approved March 18, 1937, was parents and guardians, bellev- people who were sensational Brown Faire is another; Peggy for only one year at $200 a ing that the majority of them child stars. She believes this is Montgomery, famous as Baby Fourteen. Court approved con- tract Oct. 15, 1936, $200 to week. A year before the court are interested only in exploit- due to the fact that they were Peggy, lives on a small income, approved a contract calling for Young . boy actor $1,000 over leven-year period. ing the children. Miss Ander- Withheld from normal develop- of the mo'Vie. recently leen in trying to beat her way back to $+00 to $1,000 over six-year MAUCH TWINS, ROBERT son's motive may be absolvmg merit by parents who wanted to Metro·Goldwyu..Mayer' a .. Captainl a place in the moviesun. From period. Apparently the first AND WILLIAM: War n e r the studios from blame for abo exploit them. CourClgeouL" contract had been dissolved. these and other cases one can Brothers. Thirteen. Court ap- normal development ()f child Some etrort is made by the CARL ••ALFALFA" SWIT- but conclude that the fruits of proved contract April 1, 1937, ZERI Bight. Court approved stars, but her experiencein such courts to protect children from to make the contract with the child stardom are often ex- $350 to $2,250 a week over matters carries weight. their parents. The studio has child's legal guardian. Whether tremely Illusory, vie wed in seven-year period. contract March 28, 193+, $50 terms of lifetime satisfaction. to $275 a week. BONITA GRAN'VILLE: DARLA HOODI Five. Court As for present advantages, Warner Brothers. Fourteen. the threat of kidnaping always approved contract 0 ct. 21, Court approved contract March 1935, $75 to $750 a week over is hanging over a child star 11, 1937, $300 to $2,500 a seven-year period. Bodyguards, iron bars on win- week over seven-year period. Baby PcitlY Doria May of •.Our BABY PATSY DORIS MAY: She is a girl. dows, restricted habits, heavy Three. Court approved contract Gang." Sh.'. in the cUltody of her costs to be paid out of the EDITH FELLOWS: Colum- Dec. 13; 1937, $30 to $200 a grandparentl. child's earnings, make life not bia. Thirteen. Court approved week over five-year period. so agreeable nor so natural as contract July 23, 1935, $150 to : Eleven. grandmother of Edith 1"ellows, one would like it to be for a $1,000 a week over seven-year Singini star of Sol Leller Prin- 13-year-oldactress, won the cus- child. Shirley Temple and Jane period. cipal Productions. Nets $1,000 tody of the star from Mrs. Har- Withers have been the objects FREDDIE BARTHOLO- weekly from radio, pic t u r e riet G. Fellows, the girl's moth- of threatening notes, and many MEW: M. - G. - M. Thirteen. work, recordings, records, per- er. In the testimony the bitter- other child actors who have not No complete contract data aonal appearances, and commer- ness of the child against her publicizedthe matter have been avaiIable, but he was supposed cial tieupa. He is u n d era mother Wasbrought out. similarly terrorized. to be makina $1,500' a week in seven~year contract, with salary Patsy Doris May is another ••School days, school days, 1936 when hiI parents attempt- for film' work risinll with the ed to reaain his custody. yearly options. child star whose custody' by dear old golden rule days," are grandparents has bee n sus- not for the child movie star. tained by the courts. 'The fa- There is little chance for the is eight hours. Half of thts battle between Freddie Barthol· ther, James Dittemore, a steel free and easy democracy of the time must be spent in studies. omew's aunt, Miss Myllicent worker, contested the validity classroom,one of the important At best the whole set-up Mary Bartholomew, and Fred· of the custody; but the grand- foundations for future cltlzen- makes for an unnatural envl- die's mother, Mrs. Lillian May parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ross ship, in the life of a film star. ronment for the typical movie Bartholomew, in which the May, established that Dittemore A tutor or the studio classroom child. At worst his life becomes aunt retained custody of the had abandoned the baby after takes tl'e place of this. A pub- one round of lawsuits among boy, is well known; but there the death of the mother. lic school is out of the question bickering relatives,all trying have been others. Naturally such blckerlngs can for a child star; first, because to get control of some share of After a long-drawn-cutcourt result only in the child's hating Bonita GrCll1'VWeof Warner Brothers. equally lkilful Jackie Moran of Paramount. whOle work in ••Valiant he would attract too much at- his earnings. The case of the fight Mrs. Elizabeth Fellows, one, g r 0 u p of relatives as in ••mean brat" or .ympathetic roleL II the Word for Carrie" cla •• ed him a. an artist. tention to make normal routine possible; and second, because the guardian is an aunt, an his movie work takes so much uncle, or the child's real mother of his time that special school- Letters published in this department should be written on one side of the paper. or father, the guardianship has ing is the only thing practica- \Ioice of .I.e ~o"ie If you wish a personal reply please inclose a !tamped, self-addressed envelope. to be established in court. The ble. Aggressive playmates in, F.n court specifies that the guard", the ordinary school would cultl- Ian must make periodic account- Mae Tin~e: I saw a preview of II Par- Mae Tin~e: Thoughta after seeing gave all its flnest in acting, setting, and we are truly American; it is, in fact, our vate his friendship and toady nell" in this city, and I found only one "Romeo and Juliet": mechanisms to again bring to glorious life most American trait. ing of the child's earnings from fault, and that the most beautiful love story ever known. time to time. This tends to pro- to him because of his fame; and as Tybalt: As cold CARL A. JOSSECK was, why didn't other children, resenting this, and relentleas as the shining blade he PATRICIA SLOAN. Editor'a note: There you have said tect the child's interests. the director put would be unpleasant to him, unsheathed so readily. Ed4tor's note: Ha4Z1 Bomethingl e e e perhaps jealous or cruel. His a full black beard on Mr. Par- as Mercutio: Jest. Child stars, or their guard- very importance destroys the ing at all, even death. possib1lity of forming natural nell? He wore Dear Miss T1n~: I learned long ago ians, also have to worry about a full black beard REGINALD DENNY as Benvolio: Full that "one's man's meat is another man's a factor that doesn't bother friendships. Dear Mae Tin~e: I simply must pay a when I saw him of the joy of living and wanting others to belated sincere tribute to Gary Cooper for poison," and presumably that, ancient other children. They have to • e • live. and John D1110n his portrayal of maxim applies to women, too. pay income tax; that Is, their in Clinton, Ia., in ROBERT WARWICK and C. AUBREY Hence I cannot understand the frothing· The studio schoolis one main- the character of guardians pay it for them. The 1880. His photo SMITH a, Montague and Capulet: So Wild Bill Hickok at-the-mouth fury of your correspondents, tained on the lot by the film showed a beard rich and noble with their flne robes and who usurp toUr editorial functions and child is allowed the usual de- in that interest- ductions for dependents, and in company itself and adminis- at the trial in glittering escort, yet 10 small within that i n g 111m, "The llageilate you verbally because they do' tered by a teacher selected by London. they held to an ancient quarrel and there- Plainsman." ... not agree With your excellent critiques. many cases this is thEt whole the local board of educanon but Dillon, Da vI t t by helped to cause their children's death. I realiZed that Oddly enough (perhaps not so oddly. after family, Including the brothers paid by the studio. The studlo (with 0 n e arm EDNA MAY OLIVER as the Nurse': So the motion plc- all), they are far more caustic-even vltrl- and sisters and father and teacher is responsible for the gone), fiery Tim loving, yet so blind to what was in her ture first, last, olic-than you are in your comments on mother and any other hang- studies of all children of school Healy were per· darling's heart. Knowing nothing of the and always is the plays and players which and who do not ers-on. measure up to your standarda. Converse- CLARK 6AILE f e c t I y pictured love that conquer. death as she prated of real medium for Actually the only person [us- age acting on the lot at any just as I recall ly, they are far more fulsome in their given time. Since many of the "fused to weet b.-tel In the charming lord Whom Juliet must wed. the presentation tifiably dependent on the child II raves" over favorites. I wonder why " ,.,,,.11." them at th a t as Father Lawrence: of our western child stars are kept constantly they can't profit by your example in the star is the mother, whose nee- time' and as I Doing all that lay within his power to dramas. at work in the films,this means saw D1110nand Healy in the funeral pro- essary presence on the set de- help those most ill·fated lovers' plight, We thr111ed to practice of temperatenesa. As a matter cession that followed the remains of Grif· prives her of earning opportu- the studio school is the place and failing when a hand more strong than them in our of fact, I ant glad to note that your ex- fith Dublin in 1922. nIty outside. Many studios com- where such stars as Shirley In his finished their tale. younger days perience and abillty render your advice Temple, Jane Withers, Freddie Had the director put a beard on Gable when the silent to discriminating movie lovers highly val- pensate for this by paying the I could find no fault with the picture. And the lovers: uable. I am glad to say that I have never mother a stipend, too. Mrs. Bartholomew, and Sybil Jason 'lARY COOPER films were forg-' I met Davitt in'Seattle in 1891. and his NORMA SHEARER as Juliet: Wrapped ing ahead, and failed to profit by taking that advice. a George Temple, Shirley's moth- receive their classroom educa- in her shining cloak of innocence. Blesaed Leuded 'or portteyel of face was famlliar to me as I saw it on Wild 1111. we. have not de- am not egoti.tically classing my judgment er, is said to get $250a week for tion. Of course, many of these the screen. and damned alike by her great love. with yours, but it is pleasing to be able to receive private tutoring, but serted the m in this sort of work. Your statement as to the actora-very LESUE HOWARD as Romeo: Pawn in the speakles. Gary Cooper, Bill Hart, agree with one who knows.) Yours appre- The chUd star is allowed de- have to attend the studio school good. Yours respectfully, A. H. M. a game Which he played gallantly to ita and others we might mention, accept our ciatively, ELOISE ROWLEN. to comply with the state law. so bitter end. Loved and loving. Fighting humble thanks for making us youngsters Iowa CIty, Ia. ductions just I ike an adult Editor'a note: Mr. Gable re/uaed to actor. He can deduct fees for The schoollaw for the studios woor a beard. And eo you aGW PGmeU 4n his duel with Fate that no man ever won. again just for tonight. P. S.-Recently you mentioned a ••pres- in general provides that chll- 18801 How intere3t4ngl And what a William Shakespeare fashioned, wrought, We have long sUttered the gibe of our ent incumbent." Isn't the phrase a bit agent, advertising and publicity, . dren under 6 cannot remain on beaut4/td "engraving" haM you writel 'and made these Immortal characters. Engllah eousins that we are still fron· tautological? and other typical expenses for the lot for more than six hours Your letter gave me genuine pleaaure. Do Peter Tschaikowsky's tragic genius told tiersmen-but no one can rob us of our Editor'a note: 1 looked tautoZog4calup which grown-up players make a day; over that age the limit write again. their story in deathleH music. The screen admiration for our western films! In this ~fld right you Gre. deductions.

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