The art of sound pictures (1930)

THE BUYER’S PROBLEMS 41 sat with the staff writers without being able to get in a single word. They refused to accept any of his suggestions, and talked long and loud to drown him out. He went back to the producer, who said that another conference would be arranged, meanwhile instructing the free lance writer to make his suggestions in writing to the producer. The outside writer suggested that the story open with a horror scene depicting the murder. He further suggested that the horror element, and suspense as to the unknown murderer, should be piled up cumulatively through the first third of the picture, giving appropriate action to produce this effect. He then suggested that the comedy element be introduced as an expose of a previously unidentified horror — the gigantic ape — and that the remainder of the picture should consist of comedy and of the working out of the human elements in the plot. This was a radical departure from either the original story or the adaptation made by the two staff writers. The producer called a conference, at which the staff writers, the free lance writer, the director, and the producer were to discuss the matter. The staff writers again prevented the free lance writer from talking. But at last the producer turned to the director and asked him how he thought the story should open. The director said, “I’ll tell you how it should open,” and then gave almost verbatim the suggestion of the free lance writer. This gentleman thereupon spoke up vehemently, stating that that was his own suggestion which he had tried in vain to give the staff writers for two days. The producer smiled and said, “Oh, yes! I gave your report to the