FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

Evening Star, Issue 23325, 22 July 1939, Page 5

FOOTLIGHT FLASHES

STUDIO OF TO-MORROW PARAMOUNT'S HUGE PROJECT TELEVISION WILL PLAY A PART On the site where much of early California’s romantic and action-packed history transpired will rise the world’s largest and most pretentious motion picture plant—Paramount’s £3,000,009 “ studio of to-morrow.” Prom Mr B. Balaban, president of the Paramount Corporation, has come word that the company shortly will start development on a newly-acquired 150-acre tract of land that once was part of the colourful Rancho la Lomita —a 10-minute ride from the centre of Hollywood. For the past two years Paramount executives have conducted exhaustive investigations into sites and building methods, bringing in Paramount’s expert personnel to decide on the latest scientific developments in film production to be included in the studio of to-morrow.

Contrast of the early days, when messages were carried on foot or horse-

back, will be tbe incorporation of television as a means of communication within the new studio. _ Television sets will flash images and voices between all key. offices and sound stages, it was disclosed. The use of television is made possible in this manner for the first time in history, because of Paramount’s interest in the DuMont laboratories, leader in television development.

. Taking advantage of the construction lessons learned over a period of years from various film plants throughout the world, Paramount has devised a plan which will result in the. future studio becoming a city within itself. The studio will bear the name of “ Paramount City.” Service of a main line of the Pacific electric railway will bisect the new property, delivering freight and passengers at Paramount City station from modem trains where once the Spanish Dons rode to fiestas on horseback. “ Decision to build an ultra-modern studio was made to allow Paramount to take advantage of the many new scientific developments that will result in more efficient production,” Mr Balaban stated.

The ■ ultimate estimated £3,000,000 total cost figure includes-money to be spent for the land, buildings, and equipment. Twenty-six sound stages will rise within the area that is a mile long, and nearly half a mile wide. No new . financing is contemplated in connection with , the development of the plant.

hy “Loiterer”

The huge stages will have a total Hoor space of 500,000 square feec. The problem of aircraft and other noises that might interfere with sound recording will be solved by complete soundproofing. Studio visitors will be able to watch the stars in action from glassed-in spectator galleries on each stage, avoiding any interference with production. Ten acres of the huge grounds will be devoted to automobile parking. Part of the new property consists of rolling land, and this will be utilised for “ location ” shooting of many outdoor scenes. A mansion now standing on the property mil be converted into a permanent set. “We not only have in mind the latest type of construction and planning to bring about production efficiency, but also are building with the well-being of Paramount’s personnel in mind,” Mr Balaban stated. As a result of this construction actors and actresses will find their dressing rooms as comfortable as their homes, while all employees will be offered recreational and athletic advantages. These will include a gymnasium, swimming pool, and outdoor courts. As a self-efficient town the _ studio community will embrace, besides its own railway station, a post office, police headquarters, hospital, fire department, nursery, garage, and restaurant.

TEMPERAMENT PREFERRED DIRECTOR CROMWELL HAS HIS REASONS Startling Hollywood with the revelation he would rather direct temperamental actors than any other kind. Director John Cromwell found himself forced to explain his almost incredible preference. “ Stars are the most temperamental class of people in Hollywood, mainly because they have to be. There’s not a single star in Hollywood who isn’t temperamental,” Cromwell declared at Selznick International Studios where he directed Carole Lombard and James Stewart in ‘ Made For Each Other.’

“ Without temperament,” continued Cromwell, “ there is no star, for it is part and parcel of the artistic makeup. Personally I wouldn’t have a film