The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-11-03
r M Hollywood
BY KRsKTNG JOHNSON NEA Staff Correspondent


 If it hadn't been for three orch- estras, we probably wouldn't have met Trem Carr. the man who built a film studio on loyalty. But you cannot ignore three orchestras like Jan Garber's Henry Kings and Phil Ohman's. Especially when they are all working in the same picture. And the picture. "Sweethearts of the U. s. A." is being produced at Mon- ogram studio, one of Hollywood's Independent film companies.
 It was precedent-shattering Three orchestras in low budget film for a small independent. It was sensational. Why, M-G-M's big two-million- dollar musical, "Du- Barry Was 4 Lady" had only ONE orchestra. Ditto fo: Hello, Frisco, Hello" Best Foot Forward" 'Coney Island, and all the orther recent big time musical hits.
 So we looked up the producer of this picture with three orchestras, Lester Cutler, whom we think is one of the smartest showmen in Hollywood. Cutler said that was only the half of it. He also had Una Merkel, Donald Novis and Parkya- karkus in the cast. Also sets Like you see at M-G-M," a lot of chorus girls and a hit musical score by Lew Pollock, the tunesmith who wrote Diana" and "Charmaine." And all on low budget.
 FREAK FORMULA
 But don't write about me-" said Cutler. Write about Trem Carr and Monogram. The company is going places. Carr is the man responsible for the success of Monogram. He was born with the ability to make people loyal"
 That line about loyalty sold us on Trem Carr. You seldom hear the word loyalty mentioned in Holly wood.
 Before looking up Carr, we learn ed he hda organized Monogram studio in 1928 with w. Ray John ston. In 1885, they sold out to Re- public studio and Carr retired. A second Monogram company was or ganized and by 1940 was in serious financial difficulties. Carr was talk ed out O. his retirement helped save the company from bankruptcy and in three years as executive dir ector of the corporation has built it up into one of Hollywood's top in dependents. Three years ago $40,000 was a top budget Monogram film Today it is $250,00.
 Trem Carr accomplished what Hollywood thought was impossible, his co-workers tell you, because of loyalty. They'll do the impossible fo- him because he never forgets a friend. Stars who wouldn't think of working for Monogram studio work for Monogram because of their admiration and faith in Carr. MODEST MOGUL
 When We finally caught up with him. Trem Carr was reluctant to talk about himself. He didn't look like a movie baron, either. He was neat and dapper and soft spoken and white haired.
 He said he found greater enjoy ment in accomplishment than in SCGlI1k Il4S 1ldAlC HI OAAN AASWSt'e~ pers. He was proud of Monogram slogan, Monogram Always Delivers What It Sells The major studios, !" he said, promise 40 or 50 films a year and maybe deliver 26. If Mon ogram promises 40 pictures, we de- liver 40." He was proud, too, that 'no producer at Monogram ever lost a nickel or completed a picture owing money"
 Whats the secret of an inde- pendent film company's success in major studio dominated Hollywood? If you are going to be indepen- dent," said Carr, you must be in- dependent No million dollar ideas. No million dollar a month profits. You can't kick people around. You have to be honest with everyone and honest with yourself