Hands of Hollywood (1929)

Chapter I THE MOTION PICTURE The Motion Picture is both an art and an industry; a romance and a business. The hands that build it are the hands of the dreamer and the hands of the moneygrubber, the hands of the beauty-loving artist and the hands of the cash-loving merchant. Without being cynical, we must admit that the principal motive behind the making of motion pictures is the making of money — the same motive behind every business. The seeds of motion picture greatness were planted by men who saw an opportunity to furnish a new kind of entertainment at a price that would spell profit. It has spelled profit, because only a fortunate few can create and enjoy their own dreams; yet mankind is, has ever been, and will ever be, dream-hungry. Hollywood is the Dream-Shop of the world, selling dreams — often exquisitely beautiful ones — for a bit of silver. "Let's go to a picture," says Mary to John. "Mama, I want to see the movies," says little Joe. "Pa, Tm plumb wore out — let's take in the pictures tonight," says old Mrs. Jones. And so, millions of dollars are poured out; endless rows of typewriter keys start tapping; an army of hammers is lifted; dusty cavalcades of trucks start roaring up and down the highways; long strings of freight cars rush across the continent; tons of plaster, cement, brick, nails and lumber are unloaded; thousands of barrels of paint are emptied; countless office doors open and close all day long; feet run and scurry and climb; sweat and tears, nerves and laughter, commands and coaxings — light, color, excitement — titanic hurly-burly — all so that Mary and John, little Joe and little Annie, Pa and Ma, can go to the Palace. Therefore you and all other theatre-goers are making pictures, [13]