Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1920)

And tte star became even as a Blazing Comet. The Fable of the Good Scenario Writer i By FRANK M. DAZEY ONCE upon a time there was a Producer who prayed for a GOOD SCENARIO WRITER. "Yea verily!" he moaned, "Dust gathereth on my sets, my Stars grow fat, the Overhead flourisheth as the Green Bay Tree, and my Directors go crying 'Where is the Script? Where is Ihe Script?' " And the Lord, which is a good Lord, heard and was touched by the piteousness of the man's lamentations. And the next day a young man appeared before the Producer and said, "Lo, / am a Good Scenario Writer!" And the Producer delayed not but thrust a novel into the voung man's arms, saying, "Make haste, we start to shoot Monday." And the young man examined him the book and said, "Alas, this book is without merit, for it contains neither plot, characterization, suspense, originality, nor aught else that is needful." At this the producer was greatly wroth and chided the young man as follows: "The book must be good, for, though I have not read it myself I have been told so by my best Stenographer, and the Price I paid was so great it has been heralded to the four comers of Filmdom. And if it is originality that lacketh, that you must supply, and plot also, for, have you not told me that you are a Good Scenario Writer?" And the young man applied himself diligently and at the appointed time appeared before the Producer saying, "Lo, here is thy Script! Read and I thinketh it will rejoice you." But the Producer, having an engagement for Lunch, did not read the Script. Instead he went and laid it before the feet of the Director, who glanced swiftly over the scenes and cried: "Lo, this is the Bunk, and that also! Let it be changed forthwith lest my hairs grow grey ajid my eye; sad!" Afid when the Good Scenario Writer had done even as the Director required the Script was placed before the Star. And the Star became even as a Blazing Comet, "Im through forever and forever — I quit!" for all that the Director deemed good she abhorred, and those scenes which he condemned she esteemed as Pearls beyond Price. And the Good Scenario Writer went unto the Producer seeking Counsel, and the Producer cried: "Verily, it is a case for High Discretion. Guard thy words and make the Director think that all his desires have been granted, while the Star believeth that her wishes have been followed to the smallest Jot and Tittle. And take care that the Script suffereth not thereby!" And the young man, who was a very Good Scenario Writer did even as he was commanded. And the Director was content, and the Star pleased, and the Producer beamed more brightly than the Sun at Noonday. And he came running to the Good Scenario Writer and cried: "You are indeed a treasure. Lo, here is another book which my stenographer recommends most highly. Make haste, for we start to shoot Monday!" But the young man turned sharply upon his heel, saying: "I'm through forever and forever — I QUIT!" At this the Producer's eyes grew wide and he mopped his forehead with his right hand until the diamonds thereon became covered with Sweat. "Why should you thus desert me?" he cried, "Have I not given you a room to work in more spacious than that of the Chief Carpenter? Is your name not mentioned in all publicity — when it is not forgotten? And as for pay, know you not that you are receiving one-fourth as much as the Director, one-tenth as much as the Star? Yea, your yearly stipend will ^_____,^_^______ reach even the ni»!|!M^,''|lll'''''''''''i>|j^''".'U!!!!iifiw;inw'"'re4jiJt{i^^ half of my own income tax! You are an ingrate. A snake I have cherished with the warmth of my Bosom." And the Good Scenario Writer made retort: "I have given you the speed of a linotype, the dramatic skill of a Sardou, the humility of a Saint, and a diplomacy that would enable (Continued on page 134)