Evening star., 1933-12-10

comes this cry. Apparently nobody is
immune TO the lure of Hollywood's
glan1orous industry, Even the smallest,
most inconspicuous job is an irresisti-
bic lure-each individual apparently figuring
that cnce inside studio in any capacity he
will be discovered" to be great player and
put into the shoes of Greta Garbo or Clark
Gable. Or perhaps he will reveal himself as a
great director like Ernst Lubitsch or a great
screen writer like Frances Marion.
So the quest continues thousands upon
thousands trying vainly to get some sort Of
foothold in studio. And of course, every
time the papers carry story about an un-
known getting break. the job hunters start
pounding at the studio portals with renewed
vigor. Most of them follow the ordinary paths
but Q few try all kinds of ingenious tricks to
attract attention to themselves
Naturally, there is royal road to studio
employment. Recruits for the movie racket
are gathered from all parts of the world and
in all kinds of ways. ANY one, apparently,
might be offered movie job; no one is certain
of getting one. Next to marriage. the cynics
tell you, trying to get into the movies is the
worlds biggest gamble.
DUT there's one tip which it would be wen
- to heed-dont try any clever tricks They
have been tried for years. but no matter how
great the ingenuity it seldom works. Studio
workers are pretty wise to such stunts and can
spot them in a minute.
And even should the stunt work, about the
greatest reward that can be expected is two
or three days work as an extra at IS a day.
So far there is no record of a single successful
member of the film colony who came into the
business through a trick
Those who do manage to get inside the gates
through such methods-and a very few do
find themselves outside again IN very short
order.
One Canadian youth was so anxious to get
movie job that he spent everything, right
down to his last dime, in an attempt to get it.
First he had some cards printed with q long,
impressive English name on them. Then he
bought some very dressy looking clothes. Next
he hired an expensive car and chauffeur Ar
irving at the studio, he ordered the chauffeur
to drive right through the gate without coming
to stop.
Once inside he leaped out Of the car and ran
into the casting Once. But the casting director
wasn't impressed. For all of his trouble and
expense the youth got one days work as an
extra That was all.
A MOTHER young man hit upon the idea
of-writing Strange nterude" letter TO
an assistant director whose name he happened
to know, the letter reading:
My dear friend Harry (blah and nerts):
Just note, old pal, to say hello Chope the
dope doesn't throw this in the wastebasket).
As you know Harry. old pal (the lunk), things
have been very bad with me Cike thunder they
have, but the fathead doesn't know the differ
ence> and would appreciate anything you can
do for me (hope the louise doesn't offer me any
of that $3.50 per day bunk.
Il have always admired your handling Of
production and like to work with you (why, the
rat used to be punk under mel sure hate
To ck I, frp {ot,N .,civ,rr
a lot of people in Flying Down to Rio and
thought would drop my old pal note (would-
rather take a beating).
Have always wanted to connect on the
R-K-O lot Il hope the darn place burns down
and you go out on your ear and have to work
extra while). Anyway old pal, DO what you
can for me (bet never hear from the nit WITT.
Here's hoping your picture is a dandy Il
hope it fops).
We'll, palsy, think will close for this time
(you son of a sea cook). Say hello to that
lovely wife and baby for me Il hope they
feel bad). AS ever, your pal (what a ie),
Eddie Baker,
Baker got few days work, but that was all.
Getting flock OF publicity often is sufficient
to get the subject inside of studio, particu-
larly if the subject is young and pretty girl.
But that usually is as far as she goes.
About a year ago a young woman by the
name of Velma Gresham hit upon the idea Of
Incorporating herself in order to finance her
start in pictures. All of the papers were drawn
up and she was duly and legally incorporated
for $4,000. The idea was that she would sell
SO per cent Of the stock in herself and stock
holders would share in all Of her earnings.
1t was novel idea and got her considerable
space in the newspapers. However, there were
no buyers for the stock and the closest she got
to screen career was couple Of tests. And,
almost as quickly as she came, she faded from
sight.
Hitch-hiking from West Haven Conn, to
Hollywood was the first step by Shirley Will
hams. attractive 21-year-old girl, toward getting
a job in the movies. Accompanied by her dog,
this intrepid miss made the long journey with