Too Many Judges

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 93, 13 January 1939, Page 14

Too Many Judges

Old Star-Finding Method

Discarded

QTAR-F.INDING in Hollywood ,is at last becoming a one-man job, as it always should have been. This method replaces one.that has caused disappointment to many potential stars, and ridiculous positions in studios. Too many judges, with conflicting ideas on what is talent and what is beauty, have been sitting in judgment on screen tests of Hollywood aspirants. They are seldom in agreement, and when they disagree, the easiest way is to turn rhe aspirant loose. Discarded aspirants have often been picked up at other studios, and pushed into the front box-ollice line, much to the chagrin of the lot that had first call.

Hedy Lemurr almost slipped out of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s control last: summer because :in executive committee was not unanimous on the subject of her prospects. Some thought she had beauty only, others that she had beauty and talent: while a few believe! that she was bereft of both. If it hod'not been for a lucky loan-out trip and an appearance in “Algiers,” Hedy’s option might have lapsed. Quickly Rejected. Hedy’s case z repeats itself in a less conspicuous way almost every day in. the studios, where dozens of tests flicker before the eyes of producers, directors and talent-hitntVrs. Some like blondes, others do not. Some are favourably disposed toward tall girls, while others think short girls have the best, chances on the screen.

It requires a trained eye and ear to sense the. potential ability that may lurk in a nervous youngster undergoing his or he r first bid for a career, aud. unfortunately. the average studio committee is not equipped to offer more than a surface appraisal. The slightest disagreement usually results in flat rejection. Thus peace is maintained in the studio family. Mistakes' have been occurring with such alarming frequency that practically every, studio in Hollywood has discarded the old committee form of appraisal to vest entire responsibility for talent-finding in one man.

Gary Cooper, Katherine Hepburn. Bette Davis. Clark Gable, Frederic March, Fred Mac Murray ami Bing Crosby are a few top-notchers of today, who were stamped as impossible by studio screen-testing committees and turned away, only to be retrieved later when their prospects were recognised by trained talent-hunters acting as one-man juries. Said She Was Hopeless.

When Katherine Hepburn arrived in Hollywood, she was interviewed by a board of seven studio exeeuti es. Two saw possibilities and wanted /o put her to more extensive tests But the majority ridiculed her slacks, her unkempt hair, her large freckles and her powderbare face. One said she was "hopeless, and would never be a star!” Paramount officials wanted to turn Frederic March loose, saying he would never do because he made uo appeal to the opposite sex. The talent head of a certain major studio, who passes final judgment on all prospects himself, and who is credited with more star discoveries in the past three years than any competitor, declares that it is impossible for any group of men to agree on the merits of a> newcomer.

“QOME actors are ashamed to act In U Westerns,” said Gene Autry, star of "In Gid Santa Fe.” "But." be continued with an amused smile "to my mind there’s nothing to be ashamed of. I have.more fun. I’m sure, than 1 would making any other kind of picture. I like to be outdoors, to ride and sing. I’m no Caruso,” he added slyly. “I’d never charm audiences at the Metropolitan. I understand they don’t care for yodelling.”