Directing Children

Northern Advocate, 11 May 1939, Page 14

Directing Children

“Children are no harder to direct than grown-ups.” Thus Norman Taurog. ace Hollywood director of children, answers the adage that directing childre nis the toughest job in filmdom. Taurog, who directed “Boys’ Town,” starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney, had more than 300 boys working in scenes for the picture, ranging from Rooney, seventeen-year-old veteran, to Bobs Watson, seven-year-old veteran. “Children are little different from adults,” said Taurog. “They have their good and their bad days. Bobs Watson, for instance, went seven entire days without missing a line of dialogue. Then he had a bad day. But he’s a trouper, just like his grown-up brethren, and managed to get his lines across. There is only one technique necessary in the handling of actors whether they are four or forty. You’ve got to humour them. In the case of children, it’s a matter of sympathy. With adults it’s a case of diplomacy. I’m a lot better sympathiser than diplomat. Children’s psychology is definite and interesting. They profit more from example than teaching. I’ve had a lot of luck with the youngsters in “Boys’ Town” because Spencer Tracy likes kids, gets along with them, and they all love him. They work hard to make that actor proud of them. Which has been a great help to me.”