Prop Maker Loses Suit, Wins Publicity

Mel Slavick may be out the $2,500 he hoped to win in court Tuesday. But he has recovered at least that much in free publicity since his Buena Park special-effects firm was accused of delivering shoddily made, fake giant breasts.

Slavick’s Creative Effects Studios agreed in February to design a set of 90-inch-bustline breasts for Mark Curtis Productions, a Chatsworth adult-video company that planned to use the props in a movie. When the video maker complained that the 50-pound pair of foam-rubber falsies were “unrealistic,” Slavick tried again.

But the video company’s owner, Mark Carriere, proved to be a finicky customer--deeming Slavick’s second attempt “scaly and Godzilla-like.”

Carriere filed suit in June, demanding the return of his $2,500 deposit on the breasts, priced at $5,000. Then Slavick countersued for the $2,500 still owed him for his workmanship.

On Tuesday, the case was put to rest by Lewis Kent, a pro tem judge in Van Nuys Small Claims Court. He decided to award neither side any money, citing the men’s lack of an explicit contract.

“I want to tell you how appalled I am by the business you are in and my disdain that you are taking up the court’s time with this matter,” Lewis chastised the litigants.

Slavick took the scolding in stride. “The whole thing was so stupid,” he said. “Everyone in the courtroom was laughing--except for the judge and the porn people.”

Besides, Slavick’s company--which ordinarily manufactures props for horror movies rather than adult flicks--has reaped the benefit of media attention. Slavick has been interviewed on radio programs and said he recently was approached to appear on “Late Night With David Letterman.”

Officials at the adult video company do not see much humor in the ruling, however. “I thought the judge was biased because of the business we are in,” said Steven Gutterman, operations manager for Mark Curtis Productions. “He refused to even view the evidence.”