Hollywood Saga (1939)

HOLLYWOOD SAGA constant pressure of millions of people who want a certain thing improved, can do to bring about that improvement. Looked at with 1935 eyes, our picture was badly photographed, the lighting was childish, the acting was awful, the writing atrocious and — may Allah be merciful — the direction terrible. The only interesting thing about our work was the fact that we had taken the same pride in it as Henry Ford took in his Model T, or the Wright brothers in their first plane. As I watched the bizarre affair flicker by I reflected that perhaps it is just as well we have no film recordings of David Garrick, Edwin Booth or Salvini : they might only shatter cherished ideals. “Carmen” would have lived in my memory as a fine picture if only I hadn’t seen it again. But all things are relative to their times. Few of our modern hostesses, fond as they are of royalty, could survive a dinner with Richard the Lion-hearted. As I recall those breathless, active, exciting days of Jerry’s first visit to Hollywood, when the screen was young and every double-exposure was an event, I remember that it was she who gave the first “Hollywood party” I ever attended. It was some years before the term “Hollywood party” was to become the synonym for a meeting of unrestrained revelry, but nevertheless Jerry’s hospitality pointed the way to what might be called a more abundant night life. Her three pictures were all finished and “in the can,” and she decided upon a farewell celebration at her house to which the whole studio was invited. No one stayed away. The entire lower floor had been made ready for dancing; caterers from downtown were prepared to feed an army, and the quantity and variety of liquid refreshments were such as I have only seen equaled during prohibition; moreover, it was Saturday night and no one had to be at the 155