Evening star., 1932-07-31

so authors, divide by ~ lt0r
L any reason you ehoose) and
the answer is fve versions.
Combine the five and you have q pic
ture. Then, If you go in for higher
mathematics, sit down and fgure out
for yourself why picture producers are
bowling to high heaven that the dear
public won't pay 65 cents TO see the
per-specials, or, having paid, walk
out or growl themselves up the aisles
at the finish.
In the days when picturese were
movieS. before the sound effect discov-
ery revolutioniZed what was once gold
rush industry, there was something
known as a formula. No matter what
the story. II had to be squeezed into
certain mold-made to At the dimen-
sions of formula so-and-so. Perfectly
formularized, 1t became evident to any
seasoned movie-goer exactly what
would happen to the heroine or hero
with q given set Of circumstances.
without doubt, some of the success
of the old movie was based on the fact
that audiences didn't have to think.
They knew the star, they knew the
story and, from experience, they even
knew the events which would lead up
to the inevitable denouement. So II
Ltle OIRdI DluSlC 40 9SCSNs tNN AASGSS
known for its comfortable seats with
sufficient room from the next door
neighbor to prohibit leaning or other
discomfort the patron was pretty sure
Of complete rest, relaxation and, per
haps a beautifying nap thrown in, all
for a small sum OF money.
Since home now has a radio, motion
picture theaters have sound effects
and talk, there is only place left where
that same luxurious, soothing peace may
be found. Those exquisitely appointed,
soundproof rooms in our smarter beauty
establishments where, in dim light.
soothed by far-away music, an at
tendant with willy hands Soothes the
nerve-racked victim to siumber with
an expert facial. But that costs dol
lars.
And that Is what present-day pro-
ducers are battling. They will tell you
with a hint of patronage for those old
DAYS that formula Is a thing OF the
past" They will impress you with the
idea that "you never know where a
picture is going these days" They're
right. You never know. Often the
men making it do not know. I remem-
Der attending a preview Of a picture
which attained some important reclame
due to its photography. Half way
through the film one Of the studio
heads, who was sitting near me, said;
How do you feel?" Ny answer was
IT feel as if nobody in that picture
knows what the story is going to do
next-neither author nor director nor
producer" Fight" he besmed, 10 was
shot right of the cuff every morning.
Isn't that phenonenal?" ~ .
1t was that they got a picture at all,
And, for all its camera beauty, the
audience was nervous and restless, un-
doubtedly due to the rambling quality
of the tale.
Formula today includes the all-star
cast. Formula includes three to five
versions of every story, with the best
three out of five often combined to
make a talkie which cannot have any
continuous flow Of thought or purpose,
The formulas of today-but perish the
thought that we admit of formulas
have driven such writer's as Gene
Fowler from Hollywood. although we
badly need his type Of mind in the
motion picture industry.
Still other strange and unaccount-
able happenings cannot be laid to any
preconceived notion of a form of pro-
cedure. The casting OF Ramon
Novarre, for instance. All actors who
are nationality bound have casting
limitations Novarro's accent, charming
as it Is, precludeS the possibility Of his
playing, say, the role Of young OK
Jordan. Just as certain British actors,
excellent artists that they are, do not
At into the American picture for this
reason,
Of all the vehicles available during
the past two years, it would seem that
Laughing Boy" was best intended for
Ramon Novarro. His physique would
have appeared to best advantage, his
classical profile would have adapted
itself TO the Indian type ideally. In
eyery way this should have been the
big Novafro picture for 1899. It was
not bought by Novarro's producers, but
passed into the hands Of o rival COM
pany. Every one from Lee Tracy to
Lew Ayres has had camera test for
the role. Some of the tests have been
exceedingly humorous, am told. AL
Of the tests have been disappointing.
Perhaps some Indian may yet be found
who will be able to bring the reSem-
blance plus the romantic pull to the
role.
Occasionally we see somebody woe
fully niscaSt in story. And We wonder
why. Recently an actress tested Tor
part in a superproduction seemed to
be the ideal one for the role when the
tests were run off. The producer saw
them and talked with the girl. She
left the studio treading thin air because
it meant much to her to get such an
opportunity. Days passed. No call from
the studio. Her agent reported that
the deal seemed 10 have fallen through.
The girl was myStified, because the
producer himself had assured her that
he was delighted with results. She
knew the star Of the picture for many
years and determined to go TO her and
find the true explanation Of her
mysterious failure to get the work. 1t
didn't take long to fnd out. The star
was franknesS itself.
I'm sorry, dear" she said, II stopped
that myself. You see the part calls
for that of an 18-year-C1d chlorine. You
look it. But I, for all my clever make
up, will not look Is If you are playing
in scenes with me. I want an older
woman made up as an l8-year-old