Last week there was action in embattled Hollywood, where Actors' Equity Association (theatre union) is struggling to gain dominion over cinemactors. Observers were delighted. Previously the pother had lacked punch (TIME, July 8). Chief among Equity desires is that cinemactors shall be forced to work under protective Equity contracts, which regulate working hours and conditions.
Producers ignore Equity. They feel that Hollywood's night labor and freakish habits are elements in a new industry which Equity cannot be expected to understand, which have been justified by that industry's prosperity. Director Lionel Barrymore likened Equity's...