Evening star., 1933-05-11

little bit different
and out OF the beaten track You will
never know how hard we worked to
try and make my first production, Zoo
in Budapest something not to be
ashamed Of.
TT is gratifying to see that you were
impressed by those elements which we
tried to put into the picture, its sim
plicity, romantic charm and physical
beauty.
Il originally discovered Gene Ray
mond on the New York stage and
signed him with Paramount. After a
year of Indifferent parts he was let out
there, but I made up my mind II he
could be properly cast, and part Gre
ated for him, he would more than de-
liver. The fact that you commented
so enthusiastically on his performance
IL a source Of great satisfaction to me.
A producer lives on enthusiasm, and
appreciation such as you so sincerely
expressed in your letter will inspire me
to try and do more worthwhile pic
lures.
You will soon be seeing The War
rtor's Husband In choosing this sub
ject I tried to get as far away from
Zoo as possible and to produce satiri-
cal, and at times, almost burlesque
comedy Of subject that has never been
tOuCliCQ DClOlC-tllC COullUly VI tlit.
Amazons. I hope you will enjoy this
picture; at least it is utterly different
and away from formula pictures, and I
am hopeful that it will hit the fancies
OF the masses.
Il am just finishing the production
OF picture called The Power and the
Glory by Preston Sturges. the author
of Strictly Dishonorable,' which I want
particularly to call to your attention.
think we have hit new method of
telling story in this subject. 1t is
really definite departure in story
telling on the screen, and am hopeful
Q new screen technique.
My favorite subject, and one from
which I really expect great things, is
Berkeley Square, with Leslie Howard
and Heather Angel. This picture, which
is being directed by Frank Lloyd of
'Cavalcade' fame, is one am proud of
and one which l unhesitatingly re-
Commend to your attention
You were so kind in writing me at
length that 1 trust you will forgive me
for boring you with my future plans.
but I just wanted you to know that 1
am doing my enthusiastic best to try
and turn out pictures, some of which
will please the public due to the fact
that they are a little different and
away from the beaten track.
BY the way, throughout the produc-
tion OF Zoo in Budapest our little
group-Rowland Lee. the director; Lee
Garmes, the photographer; the tech
nlcal staff, as well as the cast-worked
as one happily family. and I wonder if
the almost spiritual quality which you
sensed in the picture was not achieved
somewhat through the fact that all
who worked on it were completely happy
IN their belief in the ultimate success
plish
Thanking you again for your most
interesting letter. and for your cordial
good wishes, I am,
Yours sincerely,
JESSE L. LASKY."
Mr. Lasky's letter is a welcome greet
ing from Hollywood. 1t puts us in
mind of the fact that there are times
when a reviewer may still shake hands
with film producer-and that he does
not have to sit back in his own little
corner and pretend that he must be
absolutely impersonal in his critical
judgment. We have never had the
pleasure of meeting Mr.. Lasky, but
from this letter we should imagine
s&idI iliS NloiOll tllC
run of the ordinary Hollywood pro-
moter. and that he is being quite hon.
est in his effort to screen pictures
which ARE little different and away
from the beaten track"
We have heard varying reports OF
THE Warriors Husband" An article
in this mornings Cinema Digest sug-
gests that Mr.. Lasky may not have
been quite wise in following up Zoo
in Budapest" with such a burlesque.
Nevertheless, even if this film doesn t
measure up to Lasky's artistic stand
ards land it is said. bv those who
have seen it. to be, nevertheless, one
of the funnier films-crude or noD we
can at least look forward to Berkeley
Square, film which with proper
treatment may be infinitely greater on
the screen than 1t was on the stage
due to the screens mechanical virtues.
With Leslie Howard and a good cast,
this should be one of the seasons
cinema events
We look forward to 1t with pleasure,
Mr.. Lasky.
Mary Pickford in Secrets" will be
next weeks attraction at Loew's Fox