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90 TECHNIQUE OF THE PHOTOPLAY sion of the fortune to which he has fallen heir, and so it happens that he still works as a chef until the money comes. That is the second punch. There are two distinct comedy ideas in the one story. Comedy should stand in less need of a pronounced punch since it is not dependent so much upon the idea for its interest save in the higher forms of story. In the dramatic story the punch is essential for much of the action is lacking in particular interest. In the comedy of the more farcical sorts the action itself is amus- ing .and while the lack of idea cannot be excused, there is less need of a pronounced plot since the action amuses as it leads to the climax. Let's write a new definition of punch that applies to comedy and drama alike. Punch is the idea that lies back of the action and grips and holds the attention, raising the action out of the commonplace into the unusual. That's the punch. CHAPTER XIV. THE CUT-BACK Value of the cut-back—used to stop gaps and cover breaks— used to maintain suspense—how to handle—the dramatic cut-back—the comedy cut-back. What the punch is to the mental side of the story the cut-back is to the physical or visual side. One gives intensity to the plot, the other heightens the suspense by intensifying the action. Originally the cut-back was used to close up a gap in the action, to obviate the actual showing of a crime or to bridge a stoppage in the action, but while it is still much used in these connections, its greatest value lies in the fact that through its use the element of suspense may be very greatly heightened. Used in the first manner the cut-back prevents what might otherwise be awkward situations. We have the heroine come to her rooms to change her dress. Nothing can develop until the change is made, but it is manifestly impossible to hold the action in her room until the change is made. To show her starting to make the change and then show her changed will give two scenes in succession in the same setting. These might be broken with a leader, but a cut-back would be better. We will suppose that Norma has had a quarrel with her father and rushes off to change her dress before she leaves home forever. We might handle it this way: