The Washington times., 1936-07-25
S ARE SPARED IN SELECTING CH0RNES FOR BIG MUSICAL MOVIES
Low Down Is Here Set Forth
On Curves and Angles
In Picking Groups

There kinks wrinkles and angles we'll in
the art of chorus girl selection.
Example: Did you hear of the pos card CALI the
delayed notice" or the "secret choice"
Or know that chorines called for interviews get fare
allowance, whether chosen no7 The post card
them by turning it in at the studio cashiers window
they get fixed car fare allowance in cash.
The delayed notice and choice methods of max
ing first selections of chorine and originated in New
York by Busby Berkeley and Bobby Connolly who separately
together worked most of the big girl shows in Gotham
Believe not both devices spare the feelings of
the chorines
As the system recently worked selecting big
for Berkeley production numbers in the picture he is direct
ing Stage Struck and the numbers Connolly directing
for Gain and Mabel about 600 girls at time get their
postcard requests to call at the studio at certain hour and
day The response is usually nearly 100 per cent
The number for first call is fixed at around 600 (for the
selection of really big chorus because that about what
the dance directors and their assistants view with suf
cient in day should net about 10 per cent selec
tions-60 girls.
Tests Weed Them O.st
That co. plus two similar groups, will then be weeded
out by dancing tests and group tests to about 12O
These form the chorus of about 100 girls the size of the
choruses being used in "Sage Struck and Gain and
Mabel" The additional girls in each held substi
ues in event there illness other necessity for change
during production.
When the hundreds of girls assembled big sound
stage for the initial interview they required to dance
Berkeley Connolly and their assistants look them sep
aratey and gradually divide them into groups At first two
groups, then four occasionally into six eight AS each
separated the assistant seated at table her
name file card correspondngly.
That called the choice It protects the girls
feelings because they singled before their rivals
either the chosen rejected None of them will know
until next morning when the lucky will receive reg
istered letter notifying them to return at fixed date for
the dancing and That called the delayed
notice"
It also has this advantage from the point of view Of the
dance directors It prevents the disappointed from
making scenes because they have not been chosen This
has rarely occurred under the old SYSTEM but in such large
groups there always individuals who liable to get
vociferous!
Many Of the girls having worked in other chorses for
PorkA Inw 01u both wall HnOv tn fhoir
to these girls rehearsal shorts bathing suits which
reveal their figures Newer girls however, follow the rule
to bathing suits suits.
Precious WOrEc rs a. Help
The girls who have proven particularly valuable in prev
fmusicas often practically certain to be selected
They always required to pass the initial selec
TONS however, in fairness any who may be
strong candidates.
Dancing tests not required of the groups first selected
because the fact that their the lists of those
to whom the post cards indicates they have
quae ability buck and tap dancers Newcomers who
have not passed dancing tests must take them before they
eligible for post card calls
The system Of not requiring the better known chornes
to appear in bathing suits for the initial selections might
offhand to overlook such possible contingencies
sudden tendency to get overweight This is for
two First they practically take too much
weight during their active Second, ordinary
street dress cheat the experienced eyes Of the dancing
directors. If extra weight is there they spot it,
Beauty of face and form and personality the basic
requirements which guide the dance directors in their initial
selections There may also be certain characteristics which
OnOh% rfiou1or