The screen writer (Apr-Oct 1948)

Leonard Spigelgass (Continued from Page 5) "But you've got a mind like one," said Mr. Gort, in a voice that was a shade too hearty. "Well," said Miss Lind. "Why does she have to murder him. Don't say anything yet. Why can't she think she's murdered him? Look what it does. You keep everything, except the scene in the amusement park. Instead of that, you play back, with a narrator's voice, somebody like Basil Rathbone, you know, pearshaped like conscience, the story of the torture of a woman who's believed a lie, a study in self-delusion, you know, just like Mr. Gort wants, psychological." "I would like it," said Mr. Gort. "I would like it because it gives dimension, gimmick, suspense, an alpha you can get your teeth into." "I want to think about it," said Mr. Brady. "How does it strike you, Mr. Clews?" Mr. Clews did not hear the question. He was weighing the author of a Goncourt Prize novel against Miss Lind. He was remembering that Brady got Gort only if he got Lind, and Burke only if he got Gort, and, unless he got Lind and Burke, how could Brady put two million dollars in a picture that said something, unless he got Lind and Burke who could carry it. He was remembering the satisfaction, the simple writer satisfaction of having turned out a script that he thought good, better than good, for the first time since the war. He was turning over in his mind the fact that Brady had given in on every story point, that even Gort had been fairly reasonable for a director, that the bulk of the meaning and the content were still there, that only what had been a meadow had become an ice house, that without Lind there would be no picture, no credit, and he said, "Miss Lind, it's another picture. Perhaps a good one even, but another one. This is not simply the story of a woman who kills a man. It's the story of a woman who beats out against war and destruction. That's what the author meant. And that's what I tried to keep. In this you kill, not for yourself, but for Lidice, not for your own soul, but for the souls of those in the gas chambers at Auschwitz, not for your own heart, but for the hearts of those bereft and alone. And that . . ." and as he said it, he had shame, "and that 's you." Miss Lind closed her eyes. "Yes," she said, "that is me." She turned to Mr. Brady and Mr. Gort. "We'll think about it, won't we?" "Yes," said Mr. Brady. "Yes," said Mr. Gort. "It's dreadfully close in here," said Miss Lind. Mr. Clews opened the window, and looked out at the lot, and saw the hills and the sky and a friend of his pacing, waiting for a conference, and inside him he knew that what was once a meadow had become an ice house, and he suddenly knew for certain that what once had been the story of a woman who had killed for Lidice would become the story of a woman with shell nails, and he wanted to cry. Valentine Davies (Continued from Page 1) all writers should understand that it is to their own interest to demand a billing clause when they license or sell material to a studio, and the Guild urges them to do so. While the size of this magazine does not permit the required 2% inch type, proper billing should nevertheless be given to Mary McCall, Chairman of the Guild's Negotiating Committee, and the other members who labored long months to complete these negotiations. Alice Penneman and Morris Cohn are also entitled to Negotiating Credits. If you don't like the results of their efforts — if you have any beefs or ideas, it is fortunately not too late. Write the Guild office and let us know. The entire Basic Agreement will be re-negotiated next year. Now is the time to send in your complaints, suggestions and changes. Don't wait until 1950! SWG Professional Group Accident & Sickness Insurance (APPROVED AND RECOMMENDED BY YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND INSURANCE COMMITTEE) IT PAYS YOU $200 Month for Accident — $200 Month for Sickness $2000 Accidental Death — $10,000 Dismemberment PLUS — $7.00 Per Day Hospital — Plus $25.00 Miscellaneous Expenses PROVIDES MAXIMUM PROTECTION AT MINIMUM COST SEMI-ANNUAL RATES Age up to 50 $35.90 Age 50 to 60 $40.40 Age 60 to 65 $49.40 FOR COMPLETE DETAILS COMMUNICATE WITH GEORGE P. QUIGLEY, Exclusive Representative THE NATIONAL CASUALTY COMPANY Tel. TU. 4169 609 SOUTH GRAND AVENUE, LOS ANGELES 14 Tel. TR. 3861 The Screen Writer, August, 194 21