The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-05-22

see cheap amusement or the!
masses in what most intelligent
people,a dozen years ago. cons1de 4
cred merely mechanical curlos-
-ity. So they invested their small,
savings, these petty tradesmen
and Transforming actors, IN the
venture that high finance scorned,
and the boom found them securely
in the saddle. That's why the pup
lie gets SO much perfunctory ana
stupt~ stuff thrown at 1t today.
but our. pictures aren't going
to be in that cIass-are they?'
Rather not. We're going to go
at this thing in an intelligent
way Well pick a good staff, select
our stories with care, get the best
men to write our, scenarios, and
gather round us group of actors,
like those who have made the
Continental cinema what 1t is to-
day, more interested in tn cir Work
than in themselves, willing to take
their chances of scoring in fine en-
semble acting instead OF insistent
that every picture shall be distort-
ed to throw a so-called star into
prominence, Even in America such
sincere artists exist, and Well find
land bring them together and prove
that cinema. production can be an
art as well as a money-grubb ing
scheme.
Bravo! bravo!" Fanny, inter
polated. ,'Hark to the dear man!
Now if only he'll perform one-half
as gravely as he promises"
Lontaine flushed a little but
paid no other heed. ITO get back
to the question of capitalization
Arbitrarily setting fifty thous-
and as a fair production cost, We'll
want at least a hundred and fifty
thousand to begin with. -
But surely we won't need
hundred thousand margin for
safety"
When we finish our first picture
it will be a matter of six months
at least before it can be exhibited.
Meantime. we can't afofrd either
to disband our company or hold it
together in idleness. We ought to
start our second picture the day
after we finish the first. Thus we
will waste no gestures. And al
lowing three months to each, we
should have our second and third
ready by the time the first is re-
leased. Do you follow me, Mrs.
Druce?"
II think you're quite right!
You said yesterday you had some
people ready to furnish the neces-
sary capita1?"
In half an hour can find
half a dozen who'd jump at the
chance" Lontaine replied without
a CULVER. THE question is: Do
we want to take them in? Is it
necessary? Is it good business?"
Can we avoid that?"
Simply enough; if you care to
take a.risk. I'll confess I'm not
financially in a position to invest
in the business myself. But If you
should decide to back yourself,
use your own money to finance
Linda Lee, Inc, you would ultl-
mately receive two-thirds OF the
profits instead Of the one you'd be
entitled to as the star. And no
outsider would have anything to
say about the way we conduct our
own business.
ct don't think care about
that" Lucinda observed thou ght-
fully. But it does appeal to me,
the idea that if / use my own
money nobody but myself can suf-
fer if we're making a mistake, If
we don't make a success"
"Then-you will find the capital
yourself, Mrs. bruce"
IT think I can manage 1t with
out much trouble"
Lontaine sighed quietly and re-
Taxed. The contented glow of last
night crept back into his eeys. He
produced his cigaret case ana be-
gan to smoke in luxurious puffs.
81 may call on you for check
in a day or two, for preliminary
expenses"
THAT brings up question"
Lucinda confessed, You see. my
checks will be signed Lucinda
bruce, and I don't like to risk my
incognita as Linda lee"
Nothing to fret about" Lon
tame declared. Simply make
your checks payable to me. I'll
open an account with a local bank
in my name first and transfer it
to the account of Linda Lee (Inc.)
as soon as we incorporate.
Con tinucd in Next Issue)