MOVIES - June 8, 1987

Wells Fargo Bank, claiming it is trustee for publicity rights of the late actor Clark Gable, has filed a licensing suit against seven corporations, including Hallmark Cards Inc. and MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc. for manufacturing products bearing the actor’s likeness without the bank’s consent. Among the products are plates, beach towels, jigsaw puzzles, calendars, pictures, greeting cards and marble figurines. Gable’s son, John Clark Gable, named Crocker Bank as trustee for the actor’s publicity rights in 1983, and Wells Fargo argues in court documents that it acquired those rights when it took over Crocker late last year. The bank’s suit asks for $10 million in punitive damages and a court order prohibiting companies from using Gable’s image without its consent.