Subtitle of this chapter: Don't ask for the best but ask for the most expensive!

Sound film technology was actually invented a long time ago. In 1900, the first sound film was shown in Paris. Ten years later, reliable synchronized sound technology matured and became commercially available. On August 27, 1910, Edison invented the sound film. In April 1923, the first simultaneous sound film was released in New York.

But it wasn't until the thirties that sound films became mainstream. That's because the Jews were really smart and saw at a glance that this new invention could threaten their Hollywood hegemony. Their hunch was not wrong, and when they had to shoot a sound movie later, many of its stars became the laughing stock of the public because of their accents and voices.

David Griffiths, who had been in decline throughout the twenties, had finally waited for the advent of sound films, and in fact, his grandiose narrative style was perfect for this new form of cinema, but unfortunately the "fathers of cinema" in the thirties could no longer keep up with the times.

1930's "Abraham-Lincoln," Griffith's first sound film and his penultimate film, was praised by some critics but received lukewarm responses. As a result, the United States terminated the contract with Griffith.

Later, in 1931, he independently produced the film The-Struggle. The name of the film itself is the best portrayal of his film career, and the final "struggle" is a complete failure. In the same year, Griffith retired from the film industry altogether.

Yuan Yanqian said in a critical tone unique to artists: "David, I don't want this script to start filming immediately, can the current technology be filmed?" ”

"My movie is not for the general public, can they watch it?"

"Even the current screening venues don't meet my expectations, and my films are not shown in cheap malls and slums."

He waved his arms and flickered with full emotion...... Well, he said: "In my vision, these movie theaters must choose the best prime locations, hire famous A-class designers, and build the highest grade buildings!" Type...... Well, the smallest theater size is 500 feet! ”

"No, it should be called a movie city!"

"What kind of air conditioning, heating, all that can be picked up for him is connected to him, there is an open-air café upstairs, there is a French restaurant in the building, and there is a big fountain in the center of the building!"

"The waiters all wear wigs, the gentleman's kind, and as soon as the audience enters the door, they have to tell people may-I-help-you-sir, regardless of whether they have anything to do? An authentic British Cambridge accent, double face! ”

"There's got to be a big parking lot around, and the audience was either driving Lexington or Maxville, and if you drove a Ford, you'd be embarrassed to say hello,"

"You say that for a movie theater like this, how much do you have to sell for a ticket? What two dollars?! (You won't forget that skilled workers in the U.S. were paid less than $3 a week at this time.) ）

"The three of you have disappointed me so much. Two dollars is the cost, and four dollars is up! You don't have to be too expensive or discounted, you have to study the audience's consumption psychology, and the audience who is willing to pay two dollars for a movie ticket doesn't care about paying two more dollars at all. ”

"Do you know what a successful person is? Successful people buy whatever they buy, buy the most expensive and don't buy the best! Therefore, the slogan of our cinema is, not the best but the most expensive! ”

"Well, that's right. Every premiere is in New York or Los Angeles, and there is a long red carpet at the entrance of the movie city, and you filmmakers drive far away in an elongated luxury convertible, and everyone has to walk the red carpet in an evening dress. Find another group of reporters next to you, the spotlight is flashing, you can't open your eyes without sunglasses! ”

Griffith and Miss Gish were dumbfounded, and although they were fascinated by such a sight, they couldn't believe it in their hearts. But it was Mr. Louis-Baker who looked thoughtful, and muttered, "Not the best, but the most expensive!" ”

"So......" Our Master Yuan pointed to the script in the big director's hand and said, "David, you don't have to worry, I'm not in a hurry......"

Yuan Yanqian suddenly thought that she was not in a hurry now. He immediately wiped the sweat from his head and said loudly, "Oops, it's so stuffy here." I've got to breathe! ”

Where to breathe? Is it a cloakroom or a bathroom? Or garden......

He noticed the unthinking Sherlock Holmes beside him, leaned over and lowered his voice, "Louie, do me a favor." ”

"Neo, you do me a favor first. The more I think about it, the more I listen to it, and you explain it to me. ”

Our Master Yuan said in his heart, hey, this guy is worthy of being the grandson of the "miracle of Wall Street", and he suddenly heard the profound truth contained in this sentence.

He patted his chest and said, "OK, no problem." But not today, you can hurry up and lend me the room key. ”

Holmes was taken aback and said, "How do you know I have a room here?" ”

Zhao Zilong was also taken aback and said, "Ouch, Mr. Holmes, when did you become Watson and actually ask such a pediatric question?" You can't tell ...... your female companion is."

Louis Baker's old face turned red, and he immediately took out the key and said, "Shhh Can't I lend it to you? ”

Yuan Yanqian, who got the "key props", came to Miss Ji Xu's side, raised her arms very gentlemanly and said, "Shall-we?"

Miss Big Star pursed her lips and smiled, not only with her jade hands, but also with her whole person.

"Wait, Lillian." At this time, Mr. Big Director suddenly spoke, "Listen to me......"

Waiting for you a horse! Don't say that Lao Tzu is not on the road, whether you are the "father of movies" or not, if you can't make Lao Tzu happy today, Lao Tzu will make you unhappy for the rest of your life.

Fortunately, Griffith didn't stop them, but walked over and reminded, "Lilian, don't forget that the train ticket we bought departed at midnight." ”

The female star raised her hand and looked at her watch and said, "Okay, David, I know......"

Midnight?!

Our Master Yuan also looked at his watch, and then pulled Miss Ji Xu and ran.

"Wait, tired, why are you in such a hurry?" Cleopatra said angrily, "It's not nine o'clock, and we still have three hours." ”

Hearing this, Yuan Yan stopped suddenly, he turned his head and looked at the Hollywood star seriously, and said, "Miss Lilian Gish, I have to correct you, don't we have three more hours to ......"

"We only have three hours!"