Hollywood in 1940 was fundamentally different from Hollywood in its infancy.

If you analyze it carefully, the star system is definitely one of the biggest differences.

In the early days of Hollywood, the audience was interested in movies to a large extent because they thought that a movie was good or not funny, and only then did they go back and notice the performances in the movie on the basis of satisfying their emotional pleasure.

With the gradual maturity of Hollywood films, on the one hand, the audience's aesthetic standards have improved rapidly, and a very complete judgment system has been produced for movies, on the other hand, Hollywood film companies, especially those filmmakers, have also figured out the audience's minds and racked their brains in the selection of actors, so that a result has been produced: the first batch of stars has been manufactured.

For example, Mary Bickford, the representative of the first generation of Hollywood stars, joined Hollywood at a young age and became Griffith's queen actress, and also became one of the most popular actresses in the American silent film era.

The emergence of stars is a good thing for Hollywood. In a way, it marks the maturity of Hollywood films.

Stars have created huge value for film companies, and sometimes, even if it is a bad movie, as long as there are big stars involved, it can also make a lot of money, and the stars themselves, with this kind of audience resources, are no longer the lowest and most miserable characters in the early film industry, and they can bargain with the film company.

This is a win-win situation, for big film companies, how many popular stars they have is the best embodiment of strength. Paramount once said that they have "more stars than the stars in the sky!" ”

The cooperation between big companies and big stars creates a virtuous circle, but for small companies, it is fatal.

The reason is simple: Hollywood produces at least a few hundred movies a year, and in these films, audiences naturally choose those with big productions and big stars, and those low-cost films that don't have stars at all, and rarely get attention unless they have a great story.

A movie has not many audiences and can't make money, and the film company behind it is naturally troublesome. Big film companies can not care, small film companies have happened too much because of a movie closing their doors.

Because of this situation, it is also causing large companies to get bigger and bigger, and it is becoming more and more difficult for small companies to survive.

If the movie wants to be popular, look for stars! This has become the rule of survival for Hollywood filmmakers in this period.

That's why John Ford was worried.

"We can't afford to find a big star." John Ford said in pain.

Hollywood in 1940 was full of stars, Mary Bickford in the early days, and Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, Gary Grant, Henry Fonda, John Wayne, Katharine Hepburn, Greta Garbo, Vivien Leigh, etc., the biggest stars in the history of Hollywood films, bloomed like stars at this time.

They are radiant and responsive, but their net worth is also ridiculously high.

Take Bi Kefu, who was absent in 1940, it is absolutely impossible for her to appear in a movie without $500,000, as for those popular stars, it is conceivable.

"Then find some little stars, also called them." Leo Tract.

John Ford shook his head firmly: "It's not a good deal." If you want to find it, you can find a big one, or you don't look for it. Those little stars will not spend less money, at least more than 100,000 US dollars, and after it is filmed, the effect of the movie will not be much better. ”

Victor agreed with John Ford's opinion: "Everyone, I have already thought about the matter of actors, and this time, we will not invite any stars. ”

"It's a risky thing, and without a star, it's very likely that no matter how good the movie is, the audience won't pay attention." Nicholas Road.

Victor smiled: "Stars are all created, there are no natural stars. We don't have the money right now, we can't afford it, our main task is to make this film solid, if no one cares about it, then we can only say that we are unlucky. ”

"I've got your back, Victor." Nicholas said seriously.

Looking at the depressed mood of the group of people in the room, Victor smiled: "Actually, there is no need to be discouraged by not being able to invite stars, because here we are, there may be the biggest stars in Hollywood in the future." ”

Victor looked at Gregory Peck next to him.

Damn, this is the super potential stock of the future!

"Don't look at the jokes." Leo, who had always thought highly of himself, said angrily.

"The actor's thing, I think about it, there are not many characters in this script, the main ones are the three, Leon, the little girl Marda, and the villain police chief, and the others are all drizzle. The villain police chief, Uncle John, you come to play, although you are not a big star, but you are the most bullish director in Hollywood now, this is also a gimmick, and the ruthlessness of this character is very appropriate to you. ”

Nicholas snapped his fingers: "That's a good idea!" John Ford Acting in Movie, Fresh! ”

John Ford was about to break down: "I've never acted!" ”

Nicholas waved his hand: "That's it!" When the news gets out, our movie will first get the attention of Hollywood, and your fans of Westerns will also watch it. Good thing, John, give the fuck your debut. ”

John Ford was about to cry: "Son of a bitch, for my 300,000 pension, I have to take off my pants." ”

Everybody daxiao.

Victor looked at Gregory Peck with a smile: "Pike, the actor is you, you will play Leon." ”

"I'm coming!?" Gregory Peck almost threw the cup out of his hand: "Wouldn't it!?" I definitely can't do it!? ”

"Why can't you do it?" Victor squinted at Pike.

Pike was extremely nervous, and his face was flushed: "You also know my situation, although I have learned some acting, but the theater stage is just some dispensable supporting roles, such a big scene, I will play the leading role, I ......"

"I've seen your performance, although it's a little green, but your acting skills are still quite good, and also, your image ......" Victor was interrupted by Pike himself before he could finish speaking.

"I don't think I'm a good match with the killer Leon in temperament, that's a silent killer, you let me play the good guy and I'll be the ......," Pike shook his head vigorously.

Victor smiled: "Let you play, you will play." Haode actor, any role can be competent. Gregory, don't you challenge yourself? ”

"I can challenge, it's all right," Pike said. I'm afraid! For such an important movie, if I lose the legendary film company because I played it badly, then I can't afford to die with this responsibility. ”

"That's my business." Victor spread his hands, then looked at Nicholas Zink.

In fact, from the time Victor first nominated Pike as the leading actor, Nicholas's eyes did not leave Pike's face.

"I think, yes." Nicholas Zink looked at Pike with a smile: "This kid is the material for fast stars." ”

Nicholas Zink was the final word, and the others naturally had no opinion.

Victor rubbed his head and said: "As an actor, my biggest headache is the little girl Marda in the film!" At the age of a teenager, you must have a mature and vicissitudes of life, you have to have good looks, good acting skills, and even better temperament, it is difficult for adult actors to pick out haode, let alone such a little girl. ”

"It would be nice if Shirley Temple could be invited to play." John Ford sighed.

Shirley Temple, known as the most famous child star in the history of American cinema, began to appear in movies at the age of six in 1934 and was a great success, and since then the best films have continued, warmly welcomed by the audience, known as "the angel who warmed everyone's hearts during the Great Depression in the United States", in 1940, Shirley Temple was twelve years old, and has become the most popular star in Hollywood, and unique.

This movie, if Shirley Temple can play it, will definitely have a brilliant future, whether it is the box office or word of mouth, it will not be bad.

But now, I'm a small company!

For the first time, Victor felt how easy it was for a big company to do things, and a small company for a small company, so fucking hard!

"If you can't afford to hire a big star, then find someone in Hollywood. There are still a lot of child actors in Hollywood, and it may take some effort. Nicholas said.

John Ford drank a glass of wine and said, "This actor can't be found casually!" The quality of this movie, the little girl in it is very important, if you don't find someone to come, the whole movie will be smashed! We'd rather have less than abundant! ”

"Leave this matter to me, I'll find it." As a director, Victor knows better than anyone what kind of girl she should look for.

"Okay, the actor's thing is decided. Let's talk about the rest. Nicholas took a deep breath and said, "John is in charge of the shooting equipment, and the editing and printing in the later stage are all handed over to you." ”

"That's fine." John Ford Road.

"I'll do the theater thing. With my old face, I can still fight for dozens of movie theaters, we go from point to face, as long as these dozens of theaters respond well, there will be countless people coming to us later, the key is to knock on the market. Also, the promotion of the film has to start immediately, John, you have a good relationship with the Los Angeles Times, the Citizen, and so you can ask them to cover the story. Nicholas's considerations had to be admired by Victor. It's so thoughtful.

"How could they have come to report such a small thing." John Ford didn't think so.

Nicholas laughed: "You bitch stupid! You just call them and say that you are such a big director, and you are going to act in a movie for the first time. What a haode piece of news, and then our film was promoted. ”

"In that case, William Fox won't vomit blood in anger?" John Ford laughed.

"You signed a director's contract with him, not an actor's contract." Nicholas knew everything, and then patted his thigh: "It's settled, from tomorrow onwards, each will do his own thing." ”

"What about me!? I've got to do something, right!? Anthony, who had been neglected, stood up.

"You, Uncle Anthony, don't say it, I really have something to ask you." Victor was happy.