Nothing gets Hollywood's attention like millions in profits.
Alexander's Ragtime Band , which would in effect be a Berlin retrospective. They asked Berlin to come up with a story that would cover 25 years, from his first success in 1911 to the present. Berlin's life actually contained enough triumph and tragedy for two films. He rose from extreme poverty to extreme wealth and fame. His first wife, Dorothy Goetz, died of typhoid fever on their honeymoon.