MOVIES - Feb. 29, 1988

The descendants of W.C. Fields, Clark Gable and John Wayne are speaking out in favor of a “celebrity rights bill” before the New York State Legislature that would let family members sue for the unauthorized use of a dead celebrity’s name and likeness. News organizations have criticized the bill as a violation of constitutional rights, particularly in light of Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling upholding the right of Hustler magazine to satirize the Rev. Jerry Falwell. But Michael Wayne, John’s son, told the committee considering the measure, “If there is no limit on John Wayne products now that he is dead, it dilutes the value of that image.”