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Why Movies Go Wron
Technical Directors zjire Allowed U\(either to 2fe Technical J\(or to Direct
By CEDRIC BELFRAGE
SOMEWHERE in the welter of names on the credittitles preceding a foreign or historical picture, may be found the technical director.
He is made officially responsible for the correctness of all atmospheric details of customs, costumes, et cetera. When indignant natives of the country portrayed begin demanding who was responsible for making their native land ze butt of ze joke, the buck is passed to the paid alibi, the technical director. With an injured look, the producers will point to the salary they paid him as evidence of the fact that all in human power has been done to preserve accuracy.
Many names carrying the utmost weight have appeared as technical directors of pictures which bubbled over with stupid errors. Men known to possess all the requisite knowledge have apparently failed to use it. The reason is that ninety-nine times out of a hundred the producers, never have any intention of making their picture atmospherically correct. "Who the hell knows the difference?" is their naive cry, assured as they are that nobody knows any more than they Their
do proves 1
bankbook their complete satisfaction that they are right.
A salary is paid to a technical director merely as insurance against possible attack, when he is a perfect alibi. Once engaged, he is generally forgotten about, and the director makes the picture as he wants it. The technical director is kept hanging around the set for the looks of the thing, and is occasionally asked a question. If he says "Yes," all is well. If he says "No," they just don't take any notice. If he doesn't know and asks time to look the point up, he is fired for incompetence.
Leo Rowley YES, NO, AND MAYBE MEN
THIS condition of things divides technical directors into three classes. Those who ask time for research are honest fools. Those who confine their remarks to that popular Culver City expression, "Yes," are wise knaves. Those who come right out with their opinion without expecting it to be acted upon are philosophers. If you are
not a knave, you have to be very philosophical indeed to hold down a technical director's job.
Two choice examples of technical direction at its best and brightest are now on their way, it seems, from the First National emporium. They are ^ The ^ Divine Lady" and "The Whip." Neither of these pictures has finished its reducing treatment in the cutting-room, so criticism is out of place, but plenty of fun was {Continued on page Q2)
Above, Bertram Johns with John Gough, displaying what the welldressed Limehouseholder will wear. At the left, John Boles, Greta Nissen, Jamiel Hasson and Charles Farrell
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