Motion Picture Herald (Apr-Jun 1931)

8 MOTION PICTURE HERALD April 18, 1931 SIDECS* €IJTLCOr AT a meeting of the technicians' branch of the Academy of M. P. Arts and Sciences a lively discussion concerning the economy of the new supersensitive film revealed that approximately 50 per cent less light was needed. 'This means a big saving," said someone. "Nothing of the kind," retorted another. "I've checked six stucHos and four of them report that the lighting expense runs about the same." Investigation revealed that bulbs of smaller wattage had not been purchased and that the old highpowered bulbs were being dimmed with silks and other dimmers and dififusers. This strange economy having been revealed, another angle was disclosed. Another speaker said that a foreign version was shot with the old type film. Following this, the American version was made w'ith the supersensitive. The smallest set in the American version was as large as the largest set in the foreign version. Naturally, more lights were needed for the larger sets. The cost was about the same. "Supersensitive's no good," said an executive. "One version costs as much as another." He just overlooked the size of the sets, that's all. AAA Old Show Superstition x\lthough he has held his post here for some time now, as such things go, a midwestern exchange manager refuses to have his name inscribed on the ofifice door. Salesmen at the same branch will not have business cards printed, either. A Chicago exchange manager, years ago, hired a promising young salesman. He took a personal pride in the new man's outstanding work, assigned the choicest accounts to him, and never failed to give him full credit in his reports to the home office. The new man made consistent progress and eventually was appointed to a post above that of the man who had employed him. His first act on attaining his high of¥ice was to discharge the branch manager who had employed and befriended him. The branch manager had little difficulty in obtaining a new connection. He administered his new post capably and with some distinction. Time went by, and eventually the branch manager's one time protege, who had continued his upward climb in spectacular fashion, was dismissed by his company. His new position was one of authority in the same company with which his old friend, the branch manager, had become associated. Again, one of his first acts was to dismiss the man who originally had employed him. Tough for Office Boy The head of a theatre chain, whose salary runs into six figures a year and who is nationally known as the possessor of plenty of money, has a deep affection for his advertising manager,, making a Tew hundred a week, and wanted to express all this affection. He gave the advertising man two neckties. The advertising man called in his office boy and gave him the two neckties. The ofifice boy wears the neckties now and then. AAA Just for Luck Robert Coogan, brother of the famed Jackie, is currently credited in Hollywood with having changed the time-honored custom of all-around handshaking at the time a contract is signed. Bobby's father. Jack Coogan, Sr., and his attorney were recently in Ben Schulberg's office, so the story goes, consulting with Ben and Paramount attorneys on final details of Bobby's contract with Paramount. When all the whereases and wherefors had been properly checked and approved, Father Coogan affixed his signature in behalf of Bobby, while Schulberg performed the honors for Paramount. Then Bobby, previously much bored, is said to have come to life. "Is it all set now. Dad?" he asked. "All set, Bobby," repHed the Elder Coogan. With that Bobby rushed around behind Schulberg's desk, z^s Schulberg turned to shake hands with the eager faced boy, Bobby presented Ben with a sharp kick in the shins ! When the adults had recovered from the shock Papa Coogan demanded to know the reason for such action. Turning to Schulberg, Bobby exclaimed : "That's for luck. Mr. Schulberg!" AAA Food for Thought In Hollywood an elderly man and his wife decided to open aTunchroom across from a large studio. They invested their savings in the place, and made it very attractive. Employes from the studio began dropping in, and it looked as if the elderly couple would be rewarded for their efforts. Then, one day, a studio executive heard about it. There is a restaurant at the studio which contributes income to the company. "I'm sorry," he told those who had patronized the place run by the elderly couple, "but there is a studio restaurant. Perhaps you'd lietter eat there." SOME weeks ago it was generally expected in the trade that the president of a company affiliated with the picture industry would promote himself to chairmanship of the board and that a subordinate would be honored with the presidency of the company. The annual meeting of the directors came and went and there was no change, and many wondered why. Now the story is out. The presidentto-be "talked." His superior frowns on "talking" and on people who "talk." He is known as a severe disciplinarian. When he heard that his nominee had boasted of his impending presidency, he canceled the promotion. Not only that, another high official of the company now rates the fair-haired boy. AAA Some Day They'll Learn Here's a curious slant on British production. While Carroll Dunning, president of Dunning Process Company, was in London recently he called at the Elstree Studios. One producer there, Basil Dean, was in a fix. He had to put the cast into London street scenes and was unable to do so day by day because of the daily fogs. It was impossible, in other words, to take the camera outside the studio. "You should have our process here," said Dunning. "\A'e could put the street scenes into your pictures — there must be plenty of stock shots here — and you will have no delay at all." "How much will you charge," asked Dean, "to send your technician over?" "Four thousand dollars." "But," said the British producer, "your price is altogether too high. How do you arrive at this figure?" ' "Because," Dunning explained, "my son. Dodge, would have to come over and we cannot spare him." Evidently the fogs continued, because when Carroll Dunning reached New York he found a cable from Dean, accepting his proposition and asking for immediate help. That is why Dodge Dunning is hurrying to London. AAA Twenty-five Per Cent Off One of the he-men of the Hollywood screen recently took a three months vacation in Europe, visiting Vienna, Munich and way stations on the stein route. He came back, weighing 259 pounds — stripped ! His handlers and trainers went to work. In six weeks they took off 62 pounds. Now comes the problem of new clothes because the waistline was diminished by eleven inches. THE INSIDERS