The Washington times., 1934-11-20

The Hollywood contention is
that previews are like the stage
dress rehearsal. They are the
first completed draft Of new pro.
ductions and subject to revision
or retakes. Under the circum-
stances the industry objects vigor
ouSly to having reviews placed
upon the wires or in the syndi.
Gated columns as an authentic ap.
praisal of the picture as it will be
released.
AS an example of pictures that
looked weak and doubtful when
first screened but which later,
when revised, proved to be box
office aces, the industry cites:
l. Caught Short" a Marie Dress
Ter picture which was held up for
weeks and remade into a Sensa.
tional hit. 2. "Sin of Madelon
Claudet," which won Helen Hayes
the Academy gold medal and
which was almost entirely reshot
after the preview screening. 8.
"A Free Soul," for which Norma
Shearer postponed a trip to Eu.
rope for retakeS and which won
Lionel Barrymore an Academy
gold medal.
Revised Hits
Greta Garbo's new picture, "The
Painted VEIL" made from Somer-
set Maugham's famous novel, was
previewed on the Coast some
weeks ago, and on this first screen
ing bulletins were wired over the
country. M-G-M put Director w.
S. Van Dyke on the retake job
and the picture now ready for re-
lease they feel should be appraised
in its revised form.
Certainly THE Painted Veil" as
previewed Sunday night at the
Fox is good GARBO. She has
George Brent and Herbert Mar.
shall fighting for her love, and
has. never been photographed
more beautifully. M-G.M is really
enthusiastic about its chances.
So it becomes question as to
whether the Coast perView is a
privilege and an accommodation to
be obeyed and respected accord.
ingly by writer's, or whether in the
mad desire to be first it become
the agent for misleading and un-
fair verdicts, in the light of later
developments. The producers like
the advantages of the first broad
cast when all's well but when
there is tinkering to be done even
hint of possible failure is dam
aging.
Anent the retakes an amusing
story comes from the studio. Di-
rector w. S. Van Dyke is wor-
shipped by most of the acting
population. He neither high-hats
the stars nor is he awed by their
eminence or temperament. It
was the first time he had ever
bossed the great Garbo. AS Doug
las w. Churchill reports it in the
New York Times:
"The first morning on the set
he called Miss GarbO Miss
Crawford on two occasions,
quite inadvertently, he insists.
Once, when he wanted her for
a scene, he called across the
great sound stage, Come on,
Honey. Put on your roller
skates and get to work. His
ordinary greeting was, 'Hy, kid
The Divine GarbO had never
been addressed thus, and while
at first she was obviously
shocked, she seemed to get used
to it and before the work was
finished gave indications of lik-
ing it. The GarbO legend may
yet be dispelled."
Moore's $4,000
What price a successful mo-
tion picture? Well, "One Night
of Love" raises Grace Moore to
$4,000 for singing one week as
the big name star of the San
Francisco auto show. This after
noon she sings at Constitution
Hall under a contract made be-
fore she became Hollywood's 1884
sensation. Singing four times a
day at the Fox about 20 months
ago she gathered $4,000 on the
week.
Mention of this salary is peril
nent since it is the greatest sing
ing wage in the history of the
world.
They are saying along Film
Row that Roxy and Warner
Bros. both want Napoleon La
81 HMA