posted 09-11-2003 07:40 PM                    

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Wham-O, the toy company behind such iconic playthings as Frisbee, Superball, Hula-Hoop and Hacky Sack, is suing mad at the producers of Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star for the flick's "unauthorized" and "inappropriate" use of the company's Slip 'N Slide. The company is so ticked, that it wants the film yanked from theaters.

Wham-O filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court this week against Paramount Pictures and Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions over scenes in the film involving the classic yellow summer lawn fixture.

The company says the movie puts potential Slip 'N Slide users in danger should they try to replicate the scene where Dickie star David Spade gets a belly burn by taking a dive on a dry slide. Or the one where he lubes the Slip 'N Slide with oil and flings himself into a fence.

"Wham-O is concerned about the depicted misuse of its product in the film and its advertising, particularly the potential for injury to children and even adults who after viewing the scene, might use the product in the same reckless manner," Peter Sgromo, senior marketing director of Wham-O's Toy Division, said in a statement.

To emphasize the point, Wham-O has asked a judge to pull the film from theaters and have all prints and future home videos released without the offending scenes, or, at the very least, make filmmakers insert disclaimers into the movie and trailers promoting safe Slip 'N Slide use.

"It goes without saying that Slip 'N Slide has become a part of the fabric of American culture...as such, it continues to be a natural fit for the entertainment industry when used to depict childhood outdoor fun," continued Sgromo. "That said, it is of utmost importance to Wham-O, that the entertainment industry seek and obtain permission to depict the registered trademarked product and its subsequent use in a manner that is approved by Wham-O."

Sgromo said filmmakers should have read the package, which limits Slip 'N Sliders to 5 feet and 110 pounds (which is smaller than even the pint-sized Spade) and requires the slide to be wet, connected to a hose and inflated.

For its part, Paramount thinks the suit is about as frivolous as Gary Coleman's gubernatorial run in California.

"Paramount believes the claims are entirely without legal merit," studio spokesman Rob Friedman said.

Wham-O, however, is sticking to its guns, perhaps in hopes of facing future injury lawsuits. The company once had to pay an intoxicated Slip 'N Slider $12.3 million after he became paralyzed after taking a drunken dive down a dry slide.

Despite its potential safety hazards, Dickie Roberts, starring Spade and featuring cameos from a bevy of grown-up former child stars, has been a minor hit. It topped the box office over the weekend and dethroning previous champ Jeepers Creepers 2.

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