IN A LIGHTER VEIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19846, 21 May 1927, Page 15 (Supplement)

IN A LIGHTER VEIN

S. B. Rosenbaum had an illuminating article on film-making on the screen of a New York playhouse some weeks ago. It read:— “What do you as a movie fan know about the making of a film! Do you realize the heartaches that we producers suffer just to give the dear public what it wants? “Let us tell you how we go about producing a feature film so that you may see that the producer’s life is not all a bed of custard pies. “1. First it is necessary to get a snappy title. ‘She Got Away With Murder’ is good, ‘The Unfaithful Wife’ is better. Can you imagine what a wow title ‘Passionate Friends’ would make, if H. G. Wells hadn’t beaten us to it?

“HI. The title having been decided on, we give it to the scenario writers who go to the roll of Grade A scenarios, if it is to be a feature film, and snip off three yards of scenario. “111. After the board has approved the scenario the work begins. We must find a book to hang the title to, preferably a best seller. In our organisation of 23,000 employees we frequently find some one who has read a book, otherwise we get outside advice. “IV. We go to the author, buy the movie rights, and read the book. This is absolutely essential, otherwise we might unwittingly follow the story.

“V. The director whose turn it is to produce the next feature calls the actors together and they begin throwing dice for the various parts. That’s why it’s called casting. 44 VL The director, assistant directors, assistants to the asistant directors, cameramen and the walking delegate of the Street Sweepers’ Union hold a meeting and offer their suggestions. (In the olden days, before we were so well organized, the authors had a habit of horning in. But, thank heavens, this is an evil of the past.) 44 V11. Fifty-seven reels are made; the cutting room carefully measures off seven reels —any seven will do—and there you are! “Yet with all this thought and energy spent on this film, it may never gross over 12,000,000 dollars. ” The Tailor’s Test. Customer: “How is It that I have not received a bill from you?” Tailor: “I never ask a gentleman for money.” “And what do you do if he doesn’t pay ?’ ’ 44 1 f he doesn’t pay, I conclude he is not a gentleman, and then I ask him.”