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Casting 441
world " to draw from, they should not experience difficulties until they attempt to make a story laid in IMars. But even then something will be invented ; some mechanical, robot-like creature, as was done during the filming of the Mysterious Island by M.G.M., when the casting director had to produce (or invent) under-water creatures, and when it was done by having all available dwarfs wear marvellously constructed, fantastic rubber garments, with curiously shaped helmets. They certainly looked the part of strange, lilliputian, under-sea inhabitants. Isn't it said that " necessity is the mother of invention " ?
But, in addition to actors, the casting director is often called upon to furnish other people needed in one way or another for picture-making. Except for the regular emploj-ees in the regular departments, most of the people required for any purpose are secured through the casting office. A motor-cycle policeman may be needed, for instance, to hold back the spectators who invariably gather around while a company is " on location." Or, again, a call was made for " thirty experienced cowboys and packers " to act in that capacity with the company that planned to penetra,te the Grand Canyon on horseback. Or, instead of human beings, the call may be for animals or birds.
One of the standard needs is for people resembling some star in general physical build to " double " for him in dangerous scenes. When one remembers that in one picture the star may have to jump from an aeroplane, in the next fall off a horse, and in the third swim for shore from a capsized boat, it is readily seen that several such doubles may be needed for each star. It is the duty of the casting office to have always on hand at least one who knows how to " lick " any situation that a writer can imagine. The reason for " doubles," incidentally, is not because of any cowardice on the part of the featured players. In the old days, many stars insisted that they play all scenes themselves. The resultant time spent in hospitals, however, was too costly, and the studios put an end to it. Nowadays, you can be pretty sure that a " double " plays any reall}^ dangerous scene, regardless of any publicity to the contrary.
All in all, a casting director must be a sort of miner of human beings. He must be able to " dig up " an actor to fill any part that is within the realm of imagination. And, most important of all, according to his own testimony, is the " psychological " aspect of the work. For it is not enough simply to get the almost impossible human being to whom has been given the added ability to act. You must be sure that he is temperamentally fitted to work well with the particular director and assistant to whom he will be assigned. Many actors will give fine work for one director, mediocre for another, and downright bad for a third. A steadygoing, dependable actor will not go well, for instance, with a director who is known to go "off the handle." A highly-strung, brilliant actress, ©n the other hand, is quite apt to have a fit of temperament if she is assigned to a director of a more phlegmatic turn. In no instance is it the fault of any of them. But in every instance it keeps the casting director busy.