Evening star., 1930-06-22

sure that the star who indorsed his article
actually uses it, because even film folk will use
something they get for nothing in preference
to an article they must buy
occasionally, however, star is Handsomely
paid for his Endorsement of some article II is
said that Lew Cody received quite stable
check for the use of his name in an advertising
campaign for ginger ale. And will Rogers is
reported to have received $4,000 for declaring
from bfllboards throughout the country that
he prefers one brand of gum to all others.
Selling photos of filmdoms various celebrities
Is another racket which pays high dividend
lnere Is one frm which makes a practice of
handling stars fan mail free of charge The
only expense to the players is postage and the
actual cost of photos mailed out The firm
makes its profit by securing the names and
addresses of thousands who are interested in
MN celebrities. Letters then written To
these persons telling them of the firms very
attractive offer of five beautiful pictures of
motion picture stars for ST." or whatever the
price may be. And they sell a tremendous
NUMBER OF pictures which cost them only a
few cents each.
Then there are those who sell the confidential
telephone numbers of the movie COLONY to
automobile statesmen, real estate promoters m
surance agents and hosts of others at so much
per number. +"
Nearly all persons connected with the film In
dustry have confidential numbers which are
not listed in the phone book and which cannon
be secured from the telephone company. 1t is
their only means of protecting themselves
against the hordes of parasites who would pes
Ter them to death. AS a rule these numbers
have to be changed three or four times a wear
because they become so we'll known
sometimes the list is turned over for a speci-
neu sum OF money. Other times the person
furnishing the phone numbers receives a COM
mission on all sales to those whose numbers
ne has furnished. A list of 100 numbers will
net lts possessor anywhere from few hundred
to several thousand dollars depending upon
the number OF places he can sell il and his
ability to bargain with those desiring the list
Ihese numbers are secured in MANY different
ways but the most popular method is through
social contact. The racketeers manage in some
way to secure invitations to various social
functions and then go about their business of
making as many friends possible and thereby.
secure their phone numbers.
4 RECENT lawsuit against well known star
brings to mind another form of racketeer-
ing practiced rather freely. The most common
form OF lawsuits against individuals. however
charge breach of promise. and the racketeers in
these instances usually are girls OF course
there are also suits for alleged personal assault@r
In ABOUT 30 per cent Of these cases the victims
are absolutely innocent, but the racketeers GEN
orally manage to get some kind of a settlement
out OF court because the stars cannot afford To
nave their names dragged into scandals even
tnough they know the charges to be unjust
STUDIOS also come in for their share of law
Sults' although a good share of these charge
pIaglarlSm Would-be writers from all parts
OF the country are continually suing variollS
studios for stealing their stories Not ] per
cent OF these persons ever are awarded dam
ages by court Nevertheless their practices
Continued on TlCentH-SecCHd Pa0e