Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1928)

22 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD February 11, 1928 Stroheim States Own Version of Tilt over "Wedding March" Director Says Powers Endorsed His Plan for Two Distinct Productions, Then He Was Taken Off Editing [The following article by Eric von Stroheim, copyrighted by the Mercury Publishing Company, is reprinted from the "Film Mercury."] By ERICH VON STROHEIM FIRST of all, I would like to say that most of the facts that have been printed concerning the making and editing of "The Wedding March" were either false or greatly exaggerated. The production neither cost as much to produce, nor was it as long in the making, as has been reported. I also fail to see why I am singled out as being the industry's most extravagant director, when no less than ten other directors have spent far more time and money in the making of films than I have. URING the past year there have been evolved the idea of dividing the production Re-Takes Erich von Stroheim at least two outstanding examples of highly expensive films, far exceeding in cost anything I have ever produced, which consumed lengthy periods in the making and which it is generally conceded will show losses for the producers. And yet no one is raising a great hue and cry about the wastage on these productions, nor are the directors being held up as squanderers. Shooting on "The Wedding March" was started on June 1, 1926, and the final scenes were shot on or about February 15, 1927 — a little over eight months. Says It Cost $1,125,000 While it has been reported that the production cost around two million dollars, the actual figures when I had completed shooting the picture were approximately $1,125,000. I have lately heard that the official figures are set down as $1,800,000. Where this other $600,000 went is one of the little mysteries which only motion picture executives can explain — but don't. When I started editing "The Wedding March," I had exactly fifty reels of roughly assembled film with all taken scenes running full length — not one inch cut out. Counting the two negatives this made all together 100 reels, or 200,000 feet of film for two negatives. This stands against approximately three hundred reels of film on "Wings" for one negative, or against two hundred reels on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," not to mention the huge amount of film shot on many other big productions at various studios. Denies Too Long Editing Another complaint offered against me is that I was taking up too much time in the editing of the film. If I had been receiving money for the time which I was spending in editing "The Wedding March" such a complaint might be understood, but I was contributing my editorial services without pay. Aside from this, I contend that if the editing of "The Wedding March" had remained in my hands, cutting of the film would have been completed long before now. Proposed Split into Two Films Here are a few of the pertinent facts in regard to the editing of the picture: After a certain amount of editing had been done on "The Wedding March" I into two films — one to be called "The Wedding March," the other to be called "The Honeymoon." These films were to be distinct stories, each having its own beginning and ending, each complete in itself, neither one dependent upon the other as reported in the press. On this basis I went ahead with the cutting and editing the film with two distinct stories in view. Barring a short sequence necessary in "The Honeymoon," no additional scenes would be needed. I was proceeding rapidly with the work and would have finished editing both pictures last October 15. On October 8, however, I was suddenlytaken off the film. B. P. Schulberg announced that he was turning the editing of the picture over to Joseph von Sternberg, whom, he stated, would edit the picture in two weeks' time. Instead von Sternberg spent several weeks on the editing and then his version proved to unsatisfactory to Paramount that they took the picture away from him and turned it over to Julian Johnston for a new editing. Mr. Johnston spent several more weeks working on the picture and it was his version that was recently shown in Anaheim and reviewed by the Film Mercury. Paramount admits that the picture is still far from being in a finished state. Protests Removal I fail to see, therefore, why I was removed from the job of editing on the score of delaying release, when Paramount is still assembling the picture several months after I would have finished it. Also, I contend that when I completed cutting, Paramount would have had two good productions, instead of the one poor one now in their possession. In the midst of this editorial mixup, P. A. Powers made a trip to New York to show the two-picture version to Mr. Lasky. M. Lasky refused even to look at it. As Mr. Powers refused to accept Julian Johnston's version, however, Mr. Lasky gave him permission to cut down the two-picture version into one of about twelve reels. Powers then had his manager make one picture out of the original two and cut it down to the required twelve reels. When he delivered this version to the Lasky people they accepted it without looking at it, but at the preview in Anaheim they showed the Julian Johnston version. I have no complaint against the men who attempted to re-edit the picture. But it seemed ridiculous to call in someone else to edit a picture of this type, with so much at stake, when the man who made it and who understood the real meaning of every foot of film was ready and willing to do the job for nothing. WELL, I see a bunch of determined exhibitors met in Chicago last week and passed a few resolutions. They won six points at the trade parley last year, which encouraged them some and they see no reason why they shouldn't do a little more demanding. * * * The only trouble with the picture business is it's so shifty. The moment you think you've got the halter on, it walks off leaving you holding the strap. * * * Silent No Longer If a few more talking devices are introduced it won't be the silent drama long. I heard a two-hours' demonstration of the Movietone last Sunday night at the Fox studios and never saw so many military bands in my life. Every country except China was represented. As I sat there and saw and listened to the sweet strains of French, Hungarian and German bands it occurred to me those folks over there would get quite a thrill out of seeing and hearing their national anthems while seated in a cozy theatre. * * * The Movietone is well nigh perfect when it comes to reproducing sounds. I got the greatest kick out of watching those ancient and modern locomotives gliding along the rails, with their rhythmic purr, and it renewed my first ambition — to be a railroad engineer. * * * Sports I see Jack Dempsey is playing ping pong these days. I thought he wouldn't give up training entirely even though he says he's going to retire. * * * Two Birds with One Stone Those Duncan sisters know how to grab off space in the papers, don't they? First they both announce engagements to two young men, and after that had soaked in, they announce all bets are off. * * * Keeps 'Em Out Fox studios has the world's champion gate crasher, "One-eyed" Connelly, as a gate tender now and not a soul has got inside the studio grounds without sworn credentials for two weeks. We've Got One Word comes from Buffalo that one must have five overcoats to be in style this year. That's tough. We're just four years behind the style then. * * * Famous Last Words "I want a good seat in the center of the house." * * * Is that fellow fishing, Meadows, or has he lost something in Hollywood boulevard? Oh, he's hunting for his parked fliv. I see. — R. M. Two Film Companies Now Combined Under One Head ( Special to Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World) DENVER, Feb. 7.— The Alexander Film Company of Denver, Colorado, and the Pyramid Film Company of Dayton, Ohio, have joined forces. Their combined activities are to be operated under the name of the Alexander Film Company and managed by the officers of the same. The Alexander Industries will own the controlling stock of the new company.