HIGH-PRICED STARS.
Motion-picture stars take moot of the profits* of the film busioeee, but assume no risks, according to Patrick A. Powers of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company, New # York, a witness before the State Legislative Committee whioh ia considering the question of whether the motion-picture buiness should be taxed.
X "I know of three stars who will make more money this year than will be split up by the entire moving-picture industry," Powers declared. Don't the stars in many cases' share in profits in addition to their salaries?" asked a member of the committee.
"No," said Powers: , "they take no chances. They take it all." :
Asked for a definition of a star, he replied: "A star is one for whom the orchestra 6eats have to be moved out."
Powers eaid his company had endeavoured to eliminate the stars and to rely upon the picture and the story, but he added: "I am sorry to say I think we shall have to go back to the stars." Every picture is a speculation, Powers said. There is no telling in advance how much it will cost nor how it will bo received by the public. He mentioned one picture as having cost £50,000. About 50 per cent, of the film negatives made in this country are sent to Europe, and a few to_ South America, as an experiment, the witness said.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 89, 14 April 1917, Page 14
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230HIGH-PRICED STARS. Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 89, 14 April 1917, Page 14
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