Raquel Welch sued Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer after the studio dismissed her from Cannery Row, where she had been cast as Suzy. A Los Angeles jury found for Welch on several claims in 1986 and awarded damages widely reported as $10.8 million. In 1988, a California appeals court affirmed the judgment.
What happened on Cannery Row?
MGM hired Welch for the film adaptation of John Steinbeck’s works through her loan-out company, Raquel Welch Productions, Inc. The California Court of Appeal’s account says the parties signed an agreement on October 8, 1980. It promised Welch $250,000 for nine weeks of filming, with two weeks of rehearsal and wardrobe fittings beforehand. Read the appellate opinion.
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After MGM dismissed Welch, Debra Winger took the role of Suzy. The parties gave different explanations for the breakdown; the court record and contemporaneous reporting do not establish MGM’s motive as an undisputed fact.
Why did MGM let Welch go?
MGM’s stated explanation
MGM said the dispute concerned Welch’s preparation and work arrangements, including her availability for early rehearsals and use of the studio trailer. Those were the studio’s stated reasons, not a neutral finding that they were the real motive.
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Welch’s allegation
Welch alleged MGM wanted to replace her after Debra Winger became available and used a makeup dispute as a pretext to avoid paying the remaining contract balance. That was Welch’s account of the studio’s motive, not a fact to present as independently established.
What did the jury decide, and how much was the award?
In 1986, the jury found for Welch on breach of contract, conspiracy to induce breach, slander, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The appellate opinion summarizes the recovery as $2 million in compensatory damages and more than $8 million in punitive damages across the defendants. The Los Angeles Times described the verdict in its 1986 report as $10.8 million, a rounded press figure rather than the court opinion’s category breakdown. Read the contemporary Los Angeles Times report.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How did MGM’s appeal end?
The defendants appealed on several grounds, including standing, the conspiracy and bad-faith findings, trial procedure, evidence, and damages. On December 23, 1988, California’s Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four, affirmed the judgment, concluding: “We find no error, and affirm.” Read Welch v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Film Co.
Welch described the personal stakes after the verdict to the Washington Post: “The reason I followed through on this is that they smeared my name.” Read the Washington Post report.
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