Evening star., 1948-08-22
Those Costly
Screen Tests
Save Money
By Harold Heffernon
HOLLYWOOD.

| HOLLYWOOD.
Film studios spend approximately
$2,000,000 q year making movies
they never intend shall reach the
public. These movies frequently in
volve more real life drama, tragedy,
comedy, failure and success than go
out under the banner of epics.
Screen tests have gradually devel-
oped into a major feature In the
operation of every studio. Only
about one-third of the tests are
made for casting purposes. The re-
mainder are utilized as a means of
checking Photographic qualities in
sets, wardrobe, makeup and hair
dress.
Don't for a moment think that
the studios consider any of the $2,-
100000 wasted.
Figure it this way" said one
producer. You're making an "A
picture. Your feminine lead costs
you $50 grand. Isn't it better to
spend $4,000 testing before the pic
ture starts, making sure she has the
right makeup, the right hairdress,
the right wardrobe, instead of walt
ing until you've shot two or three
days on the production and then
reshooting these scenes at an add
ed cost of $4,000.
Two Were Lucky.
A typical test stage scene was
played few days ago at Eagle
Lion Studio. The prize was the
feminine lead in Red Stallion in
the Rockies" budgeted at 81 1,OOO, 900.
During the day six charming, tai
ented ana attractive young actresses
walked before the camera. The
lucky girl was Jean Heather, q
years old, who was seen seated at q
piano with Bing Crosby in Going
My Way" and as Barbara Stan
wyck's daughter in Double In
demnity."
-Four of the girls were rejected
The sixth, blond Lynn Thomas, 18
was rated not exactly suited to this
role, but was considered to have SC
much talent that she got a contract
regardless.
A screen test for Roman Scan
dals" he made at the Goldyw:.
Studio at the beginning of his caree.
set Robert Taylor on the right track
After Sam Goldwyn had viewed the
test he called in Taylor, then known
by his real name, Spangler Arling-
ton Brugh.
"Other" Players Win.
young man." Goldwyn said
your face is fine but your legs are
bad. can't use YOU"
The next day Taylor was in the
Hollywood Athletic Club gym, grim
ly exercising the calves of his; legs.
There are several instances of the
Other" person winning a chance as
the result of a screen test. If q
man is being tested a woman usually
plays opposite him. Diana Lynn
currently co-starring in Ruthless,
made her first studio appearance
when she reported at Paramount te
play the piano accompaniment fol
boy violinist seeking a role ir
There's Magic in Music" Diana
got a part in the picture, the boy
didn't.
Owen Mclean, casting director al
Eagle-Lion, cited the two most in.
teresting screen tests of his memory
Years ago Goth Century-Fox tested
three girls for roles in a Jones
Family picture. Joan and Jane Bro
del and Connie Keane. None was
selected for the part but were given
bits and then forgotten. Jane Bro
del has quit pictures. Joan Brodel
is now Joan Leslie and Connie
Keane is Veronica Lake.
Testees Protested.
To combat the high price of these
celluloid tryouts-minimurn cost for
a brief sound-with- h-action black
and-white test is $750-Paramount
has built a Enclosed audition-
ing stage. This is big room with
glass partition. Here the new tai
ent prospects strut their stuff with
footlights blotting out sight of any
onlooker A public address system
conveys their dialogue to the Jury
This arrangement, much like a
police lineup, enables the studio
heads to determine which candi-
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