Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1931)

transportc 1 himself about Hollywood and he had this parked in a space a block or so from the studio. Toward this space he now turned his way. The hills of Beverly in the west had assumed their robes of royal purple in the dying day. He looked upon this magic with a new understanding and appreciation. Nature had brewed in the mountain pools lavenders and pinks and reds and purples which caught and enthralled his eye. THE world about him was suddenly beautiful commensurately with the prosperity it had so unexpectedly given him. He drove the little Ford home in a happy frame of mind. It occurred to him that perhaps, now that things had so changed for him, he could buy a car such as stars drove. His little two-room apartment struck him suddenly as tawdry for one of his new position. It would be inconsistent, he thought, for one as successful as himself to entertain contemporaries there. He must get larger quarters. Before he went out to dinner, he unrolled the manuscript which the producer had given him and settled himself in his easy chair for a first cursory reading of the yarn. As it spread open before him he saw, blue-penciled across its first page: "This is a lousy title. It will have to be changed." Accordingly, he glanced at the title. It was "The Old Mill." Hector sat erect as though electrified. Fifty thousand dollars, the producer had said. And in his pocket reposed a check for but ten! Photoplay Magazine for July, 1931 Sol Sluffin had come into his life on the recommendation of an associate producer, at the very company which first had rejected his story for five thousand dollars and later bought it for fifty thousand! For a brief moment, Hector's ire was roused to fever heat. He was on the point of snatching his cap and starting after Sol Sluffin. Then he sobered. Calmer thought came to him, and more understanding. After all, Sluflin had been his contact, and contact was the thing a Hollywood writer needed. Why, when he would have been happy to sell "The Old Mill" for five thousand dollars, should he now fly into a rage because it had sold for ten? Sol's words came to him; Sol, who knew the racket and was the great angler. "Contact, that's the thing. Everything is angles, an' I'm the best little angler in Hollywood." T"\IMLY, Hector realized that between the ■*'amount paid by the studio and the amount he received there was forty thousand dollars with which to play. Men big enough in the motion picture business to bask in such profits were, he thought, big enough to string along with himself. Without contact, he had never made any money. With contact, he was already thousands of dollars to the good. So he dropped back into his comfortable chair again and looked upon the manuscript. He burst into wholesome laughter once more, dropped his head against the wing of the comfortable chair and muttered: "Boy, it's a racket! It's a racket!" Last Call for Your Story [ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 72 his advice. Remember that he asked for modern-day stories laid in American settings, stories that throb with the romance and glamour of today. Forget heavy costume plays and stories with historical backgrounds. Stories of that kind can be procured all too easily from other sources. It is stories written around the romance and modern-day problems you, yourself, are familiar with that are wanted. TAKE the case of several recent pictures. "The Millionaire," George Arliss' latest triumph, is built around a moving, human, modern-day theme, with an American background. "My Past" was ultra-smart, ultra-modern everyday life, and "The Public Enemy" caught the spirit of one of the most exciting, as well as one of the most serious, phases of current American life. Life never moved so swiftly, so tensely, so dramatically as it does today. In our own lifetimes we have seen revolutionary movements and inventions that have changed the daily habits and thoughts of the world. Skyscrapers, airplanes, radio and television have come along to turn things upside down. Trans-Atlantic flights, dazzling speed records on land and water have shot the tempo of modern life up to a feverish, rapid-fire pitch. Present day life is an ever-changing panorama, and the ideas it offers for stories are unlimited. In telling your story try to capture some of this broad horizon. Keep clear of the narrow confines of personal prejudices, theories or religious beliefs. Make your story of wide appeal and interest, for remember that a good film production must appeal to all classes of people. The title "Beauty and the Boss" already suggests a definite idea, and Marian Marsh and David Manners, who have been selected for the leading roles, give you definite character types. And that S2,000 check waiting for the successful story gives you a definite incentive. Before writing or submitting your story, read the rules of the contest carefully. They will be found on another page of this issue, together with the coupon that must be attached to each manuscript submitted. It is important that you read the rules and attach this coupon to your story. A lot of unnecessary correspondence has already come in from readers because they neglected to read the rules. They are simple and complete and easy to understand. They answer all the questions you might have to ask. And now get busy. While you still have plenty of time, don't put it off too long. Midnight of July 15 marks the close of the contest, and, in accordance with the rules, no stories received after that time will be eligible for the $2,000 prizes. """THERE are no exceptions to the rules in any *■ Photoplay contest. Every contestant receives exactly the same consideration, and Photoplay's reputation for fairness and honesty assures every contestant of exactly the same treatment. The manuscripts already received are locked up in special steel files with special locks procured purposely for this contest. Every one of them will be read completely and carefully by the judges, and the judges alone. As soon as possible after the contest ends the decisions of the judges will be announced. Any other questions you may have about the contest you can answer yourself by carefully reading the rules. Don't neglect to do this, for a thorough understanding of the rules may save you from disappointment. Read them and get to work and become one of the lucky winners! Outdoor Women Need this face powder to retain skin youth WOMEN of leisure discovered Boyer's "Flowers of Beauty" Face Powder was not only perfect for the ballroom, but best /or every purpose So they quickly adopted this amazing new powder for out -of -door sports. It is surprising how long this powder stay6 on. It ia unaffected by body heat and forms an invisible veil which protects your skin from sun, cold, wind. Boyer's "Flowers of Beauty" Face Powder instarttly removes shine, stays on longer, and imparts a youthful, satiny texture so admired and envied. This powder does not cake or chalk. It is pure and cannot harm the most delicate complexion. Six fascinating shades to improve any complexion ... and you will love the odor. The handy glass tube for your purse I only 25c and the large box with puff. $1.00. If your druggist cannot supply you, order from 2700 S.Wabash Ave.. Chicago. Guaranteed to please you. BOYEK 'Sfve. Soa£hj (PaAftirneuA. FORM DEVELOPED FLAT chested? Fashion demands the full, rounded shapeliness of the womanly form. The stars of Hollywood are developing their feminine charm. You, too, can quickly add extra fullness where needed. My new method plumps dut the hollows ond builds firm, youthful tfaraa, Just TRY my wonderful MIRACLE CREAM »nd ■pi .ml dsvalopilll instructions! GIVEN Write Today CONVINCE YOURSELF Accept Special Offer wrapper) And I will inrl> Mouldinc r„ur-.. rind ci advantage of thin bits offer plain le my special Ficuronplet« advice Tak* -»riio AT ONCEl NANCY LEE Dept. X-7 816 Broadway, New York, N. Y. Corns End Corn Pains instantly with Wizard Improved Corn Pads. Cushioned, but not bulky. Oh, so comfortable. Treated with mereurochrome (HW&D). Safe. 10c and 35c package. FREE sample. Write for it. Send your dealer's name and address. Wizard Co. 1636 Locust. St Louis Mo. Wizard Corn Pads M eet your favorite Mr1, SIS ovie star ~ favorlte sura, 8x 10. Eh>ssy prints. 25r each. 5 for St 00. Pc-cncs from any of your farorite rsccnt pliotoplavs, 25c each. 12 fnr $2.50. PocfJfrWa tkr fint*t oUainablt «|r■ iAt, (1,-niit by money order or V S -V stamp*. BRAM STUDIO, Studio 323. 630 9th »v.ouo, NEW YORK CITY