|
back
to part 1
Producers became outraged at the financial demands of their stars. But
the stability it gave them in box office receipts soon eased their nerves.
The stars became the representatives of their studios, and the idols of
millions across the world. They were the symbols of beauty and everything
to be dreamed of that lacked in normal lives. The silent stars were a
class of their own, but a new creation would threaten their careers overnight.
Sound and the Star In 1928 the newspaper headlines read "Al Jolson Sings".
Sound synchronisation had finally been perfected and the silent era became
extinct in a matter of 2 to 3 years. Many stars couldn't adjust to this
change and became jobless. The great John Gilbert, who once stole the
heart of every woman in America was laughed off the screen for his high
pitched voice. The comedians such as Buster Keaton and Harry Langdon were
left speechless and they stayed that way as long as the new regime of
moviegoers was concerned. Very few survived these harsh times.
|
 |
But
this new change brought a whole new regime of culture and sophistication
to the screen. The stars of the stage were brought in by the bunch to fill
the need for speech. Shakespeare and great literary works were translated
for the screen. By now the studios treated the actors as they would royalty.
MGM claimed their studio had more stars than the sky above. The star was
a studios most important asset. The studio heads used clever business tactics
to squeeze as much out of them as possible. If a suitable picture couldn't
be found for a particular star they would use the loan out system. For example
let us say Bettie Davis was earning 3,000 a week, Warner Brothers might
decide to loan her to another studio for 5,000 a week and pocket the difference.
|
|
These kinds of tactics were often used as a sort of punishment for actors.
Because we all know things are never as glamorous as they seem. Scandal
Since the silent era scandal has always played a part in the film industry.
The famous "Fatty Arbuckle" one of the original Keystone Cops was charged
with the murder of a woman at a celebrity party. He managed to bribe himself
out of the courts but his career became ruined because of the scandal. Later,
studios began to be very protecting over their misguided stars. One of Hollywood’s
greatest leading men Clark Gable is a key example. Gable was driving drunk
one night and accidentally killed a pedestrian in a desolate road. He immediately
called Louis B. Mayer head of M.G.M. to handle this ordeal.
Continues on next page
|
