THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 12, 1995 TAG: 9507120070
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mal Vincent
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
SCANDALS DON'T hurt actors as much as one might expect. It depends on the image projected in the first place.
In this area, Hugh Grant might be in trouble. His image is that of a squeaky-clean charmer. Some of his women fans might rebel. On the other hand, he might snare male ticketbuyers who, up until now, had considered him as just that British actor the girlfriends seem to like.
But scandal never harmed Errol Flynn, for example. When he was charged in connection with a teenage girl, he was eventually acquitted and the term ``In Like Flynn'' became internationally famous. Of course, Flynn's image had been as a free-flying lady's man.
For those who don't face the music, there is trouble - even exile. Director Roman Polanski jumped bail and fled the country rather than face charges involving a teenage girl. Consequently, he has not been able to work in the lucrative American film industry.
If you have been pictured as a saint, a scandal can be disastrous. Ingrid Bergman had often been cast as a nun. When she deserted her doctor-husband and had a child by an Italian director, the furor was tremendous - she was even denounced on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Only years later was she accepted back in American movies and even given an Oscar.
The late Lana Turner, whose recent death heralded the end of Hollywood's glamour era, faced tragedy and scandal when her teenage daughter stabbed and killed her lover. Her career was predicted to be over, but it turned out she became bigger than ever.
The public seems to be less tolerant of comic actors being involved in scandal. Fatty Arbuckle had his career ruined when he was accused of raping and possibly causing the death of a young starlet at a Hollywood party. Charlie Chaplin was driven to Europe because of his reported affairs with teen girls, and because of his political views in a world that was increasingly concerned with Communism.
Rob Lowe, who had a soaring career as a romantic leading man, has received only lackluster work since his infamous Atlanta video tapes.
There is every indication, though, that Grant won't face the same fate. Surveys indicate that interest in Hugh Grant films increased rather than decreased following the story.
Ethan E. Marten of Suffolk's Atlantic Studios reports that sales for the Hugh Grant video ``Our Sons'' rose 30 percent in the week since the ``scandal'' took place. Atlantic owns the rights to the TV movie in which Grant starred as the son of Julie Andrews.
Most at risk is 20th Century-Fox, which needs a hit and was counting on ``Nine Months'' to become the ``dating movie'' of the summer.
``There's no possibility of spin control, so we're taking the P.T. Barnum approach that any publicity is good,'' Fox executive Tom Sherak said in a prepared statement. ``After all, the man didn't kill anyone. If he committed a sin, it was the oldest in the history of mankind. The movie is bigger than any of its stars. We're hoping it will speak for itself.'' by CNB