Camera - April 14, 1923 to February 16, 1924 (April 1923-February 1924)

Page 18 "Camera r The Digest of the Motion Picture industry February 16, 1924 tX Movie Money By jaCk Mccready A satirical novelette of movie life, as written by an extra man. As the great D. W. once seriously remarked to a group of interested spectators who were watching him "shoot," "Into the lives of people that attempt to make a living in pictures, comes a blue Monday." Johnny Porter had spent most of a very uninteresting fife in a small town in the Middle West, and was acclaimed by numerous friends and relatives, as being a very wise young man. A stray publicity pamphlet had caused him to join an ever increasing stream of pilgrims, who were journeying to that sun kissed mecca of Pictures and Prosperity, locally called "Los." With Johnny when he reached his destination was his recently acquired wife named "Min," and his means of moving, whom he affectionately referred to as "Liz." She was fed on gas, that is "Liz" was. Johnny was a jack-of-all trades, and when, after becoming suitably groomed he went out to seek a position to provide the necessary means for subsistance, he was very disagreeably surprised to find that "Los" was a perfect haven for jack-of-all's and if his appetite kept normal it would be necessary to specialize in one particular line. On returning home, he called a council of war and with Min as an advisory board, tackled the supply situation, for their financial standing was, in a manner of speaking, run down at the heels. Min had been reading the evening paper and in looking through the "Help Wanted Male" columns, had found an ad which she could not clearly understand, but which she hoped to solve with Johnny's aid. She pointed it out to him and he read — Wanted: Thursday A. M. 50 extras, between 25 and 30 years old. Well dressed and clean shaven. $5.00 and lunch. Apply Hokum Studios. Johnny fairly shouted, "Gee, Min, Pm it. Here's' where you dear loving John gets his primary education in the business end of inducing photographs to wiggle, so remember Min, in the days to come when I am being catered to by all and sundry, that you gave me the hunch that brought success." Before they fell asleep that night, it was very definitely arranged that a five-roomed bungalow and open car would serve them in the beginning of their new state of riches. Johnny was on the job, bright and early the following morning, and was picked as one of the fifty supers, and inoculated with the "movie money" bug, shortly after. When the fifty chosen ones were allowed to enter the studio, they were approached by a dapper young gentleman, who after calling them together and handing out pay checks, informed them that they might not have to work that day, as the leading man had been to Watts the night previous and was slightly indisposed. If he did not reach the studio by 10 a. m. they could casli their checks and go home, but be certain to be there the next morning at 8 a. m. sharp. The bug was starting to work, for Johnny was thinking how surprised Min would be, when he returned home so early, with a day's pay for doing nothing. When the time limit expired, and the leading man had not arrived, the half hundred supers charged the cashier"s window, and received their pay. Johnny lost no time in reaching home, and throwing his arms around Min. said, "Girlie, my maiden effort was a bye, but I got a day's pay O.K. and I hereby faithfully promise and vow, that I am prepared to abide by all the rules and usages of Pictures, if the lodge will keep on paying benefits like today, and Min, I've got to go back tomorrow." The next day Johnny spent on a rather pretentious cafe set, listening to the trials and tribulations of a blonde young lady, who, seing he was new to the game, told him her so-called professional history, from the time that Griffith picked her out of the mob, to do a close-up, until last week when she was almost cast with Charley Ray, only that the part called for a brunette. Johnny at that time believed the young woman, but later discovered that she was only one of a thousand similar young ladies who dreamt. When he got home that night he did not mention anything about the blonde to Min. Women are so suspicious. However, he hail learnt how and where to apply for work, and had a list of casting directors and employment agencies that supplied atmosphere to the studios. Beginners in Pictures are usually lucky, and Johnny was kept busy at the different studios for over a month, by which time he was more or less acquainted with a dozen casting directors, and in his own estimation had advanced to the regular stage of the game. So much so that his personal cards of which he had five thousand printed, read — Jack Porter, Cinema Artist. At this particular stage he began to experience how it felt to be a "regular," for he did not get any work for a week, and the following week he only worked a couple of days. This condition of affairs kept up for several weeks, Johnny just making sufficient money to barely subsist, but the "movie money" bug was firmly entrenched, and he insisted to Min that his ship would dock presently. Finally it became imperative that work of some sort must be obtained, for they were getting down to their last dollar. They could always depend on Liz as a sinking fund, though they hated the thought of parting with her, as she meant so much to them, for on Sundays they "took in" the mountains and beaches in the vicinity, nor could Johnny part with the wardrobe which he had accumulated, and which was partly the cause of their lack of funds, for a skilled mechanic must have proper tools. II. It should be explained that the house in which they roomed was the rooming place of a score of other regulars, and it was part of the duty of the picture-wise landlady to receive and record the studio calls of her guests in their absence. Johnny and Min had decided that the first move to be made, until conditions Improved, was to find a cheaper place to sleep, so they went out together, and spent the evening, looking at rooms, but could not find any that would help them to cut expenses. It was late when they returned, and on entering their room and switching on the light, Min noticed a piece of note paper lying on the floor, which had evidently been pushed in under the door. She picked it up, looked at it, and said, "Gee, Johnny, here's all kinds of work." Johnny took the note out of her hand and read: Artograph, 7:30 a.m.. Miner; Defiance, 8:00 a.m., Waiter; Bronson's, 8:30 a.m., Full Dress; Ardsley, :00 a.m., Pyjamas or Night Shirt; Uniformal, 9:30 a.m., Indian. •'Suffering mackerel, it never rains but it'l wet, well what do you know about that, Johnny shouted, "Say, Kid. I've got to figure this out. I wonder which one would last the longest time? The Uniformal is too far away. Bronson's' no money until next Friday. Ardslev on Monday only. Defiance pays next day, and the Artograph, your dough when you're through. "(iucss I'll take the ready money one. "Hang on a second. Say! We need the monev bad. Min. D'ye think I could pull the bunch? Li-ten, girlie, it's like this, they give en! tin pay checks when you enter the studio, and the assistant doesn't sign then, until the day's work is over. Now, since five of them have called me. it s likely they re all using a bunch of people and if I could show up at all five studios and collect my checks, I could beat it afterward, and go back and get them signed when work is over, and no one would get wise to it. I can keep in touch with you on the phone and if anyone inquires about me you can tip me off and Liz will have me Johnny-on-the-spot. I can frame some kind of alibi to get by. What do you think of the idea Min? (Continued Next Week) This is the first installment of " Movie Money". Subscribe now so you won't miss any copies