FILM DETAILS HAVE TO BE CORRECT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21280, 25 February 1939, Page 16

FILM DETAILS HAVE TO BE CORRECT

In 1852, the belle of New Orleans did not use a curling iron. H she wanted to achieve the ultimate in coiffure, she did it by tying up her tresses in bits of fine tissue paper or rags. Bette Davis, who is starring in Warner Bros.’ forthcoming pre-Civil War film, is supposed to curl her hair in one of the scenes of “Jezebel.” The script-writers called upon Miss Davis as their southern debutante to do the curling with papers, and it sounded all right, but before there was any shooting done, director William Wyler summoned in the resarch department. Dr Herman Lissauer consulted Godey’s "Lady’s Book” to make sure it was all right. It was. Robert Hass, the art director, wanted to know if roller shades were used in 1872. Dr Lissauer reported they were. And gas lights? Yes. The writers, Clements Ripley and Abem Finkle, wanted the words for the old song, “Many don’t want no peas, no rice, no coconut oil.” The research staff produced them quickly. The WTiters wanted to know if they could cite “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Safely. It was published in March, 1852.

Fred Mac Lane, the set dressed, asked for a picture of an oyster on the halfshell—wanted it for a street sign. Dr Llssauer's staff did not photograph an oyster on half his home. They found the picture in an old book and had it copied.