Evening star., 1932-07-10

players. writers and directors on
the other
In fully 90 per cent of these combats, money
has been the issue at stake. And money has
been the thing that brought about a settle
ment.
The other 10 per cent of battles have started
more or less as result of the so-called movie
temperament But most of them, also, have
been settled agreeably through the power OF
those four digit pay checks.
There always are certain members OF the hm
colony who at times become overwhelmed with
puqulistic instincts. They simply want TO
fight and if they can't find one excuse they
will dig up another one.
However there is one thing all love even
more than fighting. That's the extremely
large pay checks they receive And, strangely
enough, the fighting ones always can be found
among the big-money class - those earning
81 900 week or more.
DERHAPs that is why the battles are set
I tied so peacefully It's perfectly okay to
assume a pugulistic attitude at times. But 1t Is
rather difhcult to keep the blood pressure
above normal when there is anywhere from
81 900 to $4,000 per week involved.
Too many of the movie folk have acquired
such spending habits that the old bank ac-
counts won't stand the drag unless the in
come also is maintaining its own
Those large pay checks really were the de-
Gliding factor which brought about settle
ment in Hollywoods recent battle OF the
ages"-the Josef Won Sternberg- -Marlene Diet
rich versus Paramount war. OF course, Won
Sternberg never would admit that it was the
thought of that four-figure weekly income
which cooled his ruffled feelings.
Il have decided to conform with the wishes
of studio executives because I feel that the
public should not be deprived of the pleasure
of seeing Miss Dietrich any longer"
THAT was the announcement made by Won
! Sternberg when he and the blonde actress
returned to the studio fold.
Marlene maintained the silence which char
acterized her part of the fight right from the
beginning Not once did she have anything
to say Neither did she act on her own inita-
tive at any time during the quarrel. Follow
ing the policy she has maintained ever since
her arrival from Germany nearly two years
ago she simply did exactly as her director told
her.
Perhaps Won Sternberg does feel that it
would be wrong to keep Dietrich out of the
public eye. But wasn't he also giving some
consideration to that rather comfortable
salary?
settled shortly after he and the actress were
taken off salary by studio executives. Prior
to that he had vowed he would not yield.
The whole fight between the studio and the
director actress team started over The
Blonde Venus the picture slated Miss
Dietrichs next Won Sternberg wrote the
original story. In having it adapted for the
screen, B. P. Schulberg, studio production
chief. had it changed to conform with his
views.
Won Sternberg took exception to this and
fused to direct the story in its finished form.
He also advised his protege not to act in 1t.
Studio officials attempted to go ahead with
the picture with another director But Mar
lene followed Won Sternberg's advice And,
since her contract specifically states that she
is to be directed only by Won Sternberg. there
wasn't much to be done ,datro,,-.,