Evening star., 1925-12-25
MOVIE PRODUCERS
LIFE TEMPO HIGH
Days Activities Reveal Hard But
Interesting Work of >
Film Leaders.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK. December 25.-The
life of a movie producer is Chock-
fun of hard work, but by admission
IS one Of the most interesting in the
world.
He spends millions of dollars in car
-ying out an annual production pro
gram. He reads and sees all the best
plays and many of the bad ones. He
thinks nothing Of ordering company
''on location" in Europe. Alaska,
Porto Rico, or the Sahara. Actors,
authors, pIaywrights, poets, artists,
models, directors, statesmen, royalty
and f1nanciers are to be found among
his acquaintanCes.
Take Jesse L. Lasky. When he
comes to his office in the morning
on his desk is a long summary of
kilograms and cablegrams from the
world over.
Finds Everything Ready.
A story has been purchased espe
cially for star A director has been
selected. The producing department
has obtained actors of the supporting
parts. Locations have been desig
mated. in fact, everything virtually
Is ready for actual work to begin.
But here is a telegram TO the effect
that the star does not like the role:
and is in tears over the prospecr Of
having TO do it.
"One of the necessities &C. good work
is happiness in doing IT." said Mr..
Lasky. IF the star Is an important
one and advances good reasons for
not doing the picture, the whole thing
has to be postponed and another actor
found or another scenario selected.
l have to decide what is to be done. >"
There also is a cable from England
saying the company's option is about
to expire on very important literary
work. Another message from a COM
pany on location gives the news that
rain has SO delayed work as to send
expenses of the production far above
the budget. Should the scenario be
recast, emitting the scenes in ques-
ton. or should the company remain
A few days longer in the hope OF i'm
proved weather?
Playwright Adds Interest.
The telephone rings and a play
wright tells him that the big Broad
way success on which he had bid $50,-
coo and had virtually closed the deal
has attracted a better offer from an
other producing company. VIII Mr..
Lasky raise the ante?
In walks his secretary with word
that a niece of a cabinet member has
presented q letter of introduction. She
is beautiful and wants to get into the
movies. Or it may be a French or
Russian man or woman of title with
the same ambition.
Ordinarily, an aide would handle
applicants, but owing to the impor-
tance of the introduction, Mr.. Lasky
sees the person. He then is late to
an engagement with one of his IA
vorite stars, or is past due at the pro-
lection room, where a new photoplay
awaists his criticism.
Luncheon Usually Busy.
Luncheon, and sometimes dinner. is
devoted to a business conference with
officials Of the company, playWr1ghts.
authors and actors. There are men
to be sent to Europe to obtain mate
rial for big production. Reports on
productions already being exhibited
must be read and occasionally changes
are to be made.
A man who has spent months in
the African jungles has completed a
picture which the company may de-
sire. Another photographer wants to
go to the Arctics to make film.
Thomas Meighan may want a vaca-
tion. Another star may ask raise
in salary.
These-and a thousand other ques-
tions-the producer must decide, not
a small one being the various legal
affairs.