Volume 2: The crown and the hat are all over the capital, and the spirit is full of energy and enter the foggy city Chapter 110 Watching the Opera
Subtitle of this chapter: If the old does not go, the new will not come.
"Regarding the issue of investment..."
For a movie of this era, the budget of 3 million dollars is indeed a bit exaggerated... Well, more than a bit but a little bit. It is very normal for old Kennedy to hesitate.
He originally wanted to be the producer of this movie, but now it seems that being a producer would cost at least hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is much higher than his original estimate.
So old Kennedy had to use a delaying tactic and said in an apologetic tone: "Ms. Gish, Mr. Yuan, Mr. Griffith. I'm sorry. I need to go back and think about it and seek the opinions of my partners."
Before our Master Yuan could speak, Mr. Griffith said, "Mr. Kennedy, we are not rushing you, but the filming of this movie will start in early April. There is really not much time to wait."
Speaking of which, this film master has had a very hard time these days. He himself knows that "Orphans of Famine" is a chance for him to turn things around, or even the last straw to save his life.
If he succeeds, he will once again become the top filmmaker in America and even the world; if he fails, he will have to declare bankruptcy and quit the film industry.
So in order to prepare for the filming of this movie, he worked day and night and lost a lot of weight.
Miss Lillian Gish had lost a lot of weight. If she hadn't put on heavy makeup and worn clothes that concealed her figure, she would have been thin and bony. Yuan Yan suddenly felt that her lover's touch had greatly declined.
The big star is now also a well-known producer. She said calmly: "Mr. Kennedy, the investors of this film include not only Mr. Roosevelt's Fidelity Savings and Guaranty Company, but also the First National Bank of New York, Citibank, and, JPMorgan Chase Bank and New York Life Insurance Company. I think your partners in the Boston Bank will agree with this fact after learning it. "
The New York Life Insurance Company was naturally managed by Mr. John McCall, the grandson of Darwin P. Kingsley, the president of this big insurance company.
Let me say it again, Yuan Yanshu made this film in order to integrate the Northeastern American financial consortium to enter the film industry, so he was actually delivering small amounts of money directly to these consortiums.
In addition, he deliberately made such a huge investment and high technical requirements for "Orphan of Famine".
At this moment, the film industry does not have very high technical requirements or huge financial requirements, and the American people's appreciation level is just that. Even if it is a film company that does matchmaking, as long as it finds the right way, it can make a lot of money by just making some movies.
But people's appetites are always whetted. If the American people are used to watching big-budget sound films like "Orphans of Famine," it will definitely impact silent and small-budget films, forcing those companies to increase their investment in films.
In addition, under the lure of super high profit returns, other film companies will certainly follow in their footsteps to make big-budget movies. Such big-budget movies will naturally make a lot of money if they succeed, but if they fail, those film companies will immediately go bankrupt.
At that time, the Northeastern consortium or other consortiums would naturally kick those Jewish jewelers and fur traders out of Hollywood, thus achieving Yuan Yanshu’s goal.
In short, he would rather let WASPs control Hollywood than give Jews a chance to come forward.
In addition, if there is an opportunity, we will of course also bring in the Boston consortium.
Old Kennedy nodded and said, "I understand. I will give you accurate information within a week... no, within three days. "
"That's good, let's have a drink and wish us a pleasant cooperation."
Just at this moment the waiter brought the drinks, and Yuan Yan quickly picked up the wine glass and said to everyone.
"CHEERS!"
After finishing the cup, everyone started chatting. Miss Susie, who was sitting next to old Kennedy, pulled his sleeve, winked at him, and pouted at the movie master.
JFK's father nodded in understanding, wiped his mouth with a napkin and said, "Mr. Griffith, I heard that you held an audition for actresses this time. I'm a little curious about it. I wonder how it went?"
When the film master heard this question, his expression froze. He glanced at Yuan Yanshu and said vaguely, "It has only been a month since the newspaper was published. The result remains to be seen."
In fact, the actress audition that Master Yuan had come up with was not going very well. So far, there are only two or three hundred people who have signed up.
This approach seemed a little too advanced. There were two main reasons for its failure: first, the social status of film actors was not high enough at the time, and second, the literacy rate of American women was too low in 1921.
Literate educated women did not have such a strong desire to become movie stars, and the lower-class women who wanted to be movie stars could not even read a newspaper.
Of course, old Kennedy didn't care about this matter, but just to start a conversation, he pointed at the Broadway actress and said, "Mr. Griffith, do you think Miss Susie meets your standards?"
What else can I say? How can this not meet the standards? Even if it does not meet the standards, can I still say it?
"Hmm..." The film master was also a man of the moment. He looked at the actress "carefully" and nodded, "If Miss Susie is interested, then it would be our honor. If it is convenient, please come to us tomorrow to report."
There’s not even an audition these days. As long as the producer or director takes a liking to you, you can become an actor directly.
"That's great." The actress smiled, which made her look more beautiful. She said in a coquettish voice, "Thank you, Mr. Griffith... um, director."
Yuan Yan suddenly thought, this girl not only looks good, but also has a good voice. It seems that holding hands with her will be a special experience. Old Kennedy is quite good at choosing.
He was moved. No wonder the old man actually invested in a film company. No wonder his two sons also liked that. It turned out to be because...
Master Yuan secretly glanced at FDR and thought to himself, this guy is said to be very lewd and he even had a mistress after becoming a paralytic.
It’s incredible. I must continue to run this film company and make it bigger and stronger…
For the sake of his country, he was going to become a pimp. Of course, he later expanded his pimping business and turned it into a marriage agency.
Miss Susie happily hugged old Kennedy's neck, kissed him on the face, and then said to everyone at the table happily, "How about I invite you all to go to the opera tonight?"
“Ms. Mary Garden is coming to New York with a new opera, The Love of Three Oranges.”
Mary Garden was the most popular soprano singer in America at that time. It was no exaggeration to call her a superstar. If we compare the status, Lillian Gish was far inferior to her.
There is no way. Opera performed using classical vocal methods, that is, bel canto, is recognized as a high art, while movies at this time are just a form of popular entertainment.
She was born in Aberdeen, England, became famous in Paris, and is currently the mainstay and theater director of the Chicago Opera.
Ms. Garden's first stage performance in the United States was as the role of Salome, the Israelite princess who killed the prophet John because of love in the Bible, which caused a sensation in the United States.
The one-act opera "Salome" was written by Hedwig Lachmann based on Oscar Wilde's play of the same name, and the music was composed by Richard Strauss. It has been a very classic opera since its debut.
"The Love for Three Oranges" is one of the representative works of Russian composer Sergei Sergeevich Prokofiev (1891-1953).
It seems that this musical actress is somewhat self-aware and knows that Yuan Yanshu and her friends are only suitable to watch operas, not the kind of musicals she performs.
FDR shrugged and said, "I'm sorry, Miss Susie. I'm not free tonight."
He is now acting as a matchmaker between the two parties in his capacity as the vice president of Fidelity Savings. He is a senator, deputy secretary of the Navy, and a vice presidential candidate. How could he mix with them?
The movie master also shook his head and said, "Lillian and I have a lot of work to do tonight. Sorry, we won't go."
"Oh..." The actress was a little disappointed, so she looked at another person who was concentrating on eating and drinking and asked, "What about Mr. Yuan?"
“As for me…”
Our Master Yuan was going to refuse at first, as he was not a die-hard fan like Little Mustache who would rather skip meals to save money to watch the opera.
In fact, in the next 100 years, the audience of opera has been shrinking, and in the 21st century it has really become a niche hobby for showing off. Yuan Hongjian, who traveled back from that time, would never like opera.
Mr. Kennedy suddenly interrupted and said, "Mr. Yuan, you must go. I have some questions about the script that I want to ask you."
As he spoke, he gave Yuan Yan a look that all men understand...
Master Yuan was such a smart person that he immediately understood what the other party meant and agreed without hesitation: "Since Mr. Kennedy said so, I can't let Miss Susie down, so..."
"Ouch!"
Miss Gish, who was sitting next to him, was such a smart person that she immediately understood what the two men meant. She secretly asked Yuan Yan to eat a big elbow, which hurt so much that he gasped and couldn't even speak.
"Niao, what's wrong with you? Are you okay?"
The big star's acting skills were indeed natural. She dropped the knife and fork in panic, held her face with a look of surprise and distress as she looked at her Chinese lover, as if she was completely unaware of the situation.
"I, I, I'm fine." Yuan Yan, with cold sweat on his head, looked at the superstar with lingering fear, and thought to himself, Confucius was right about that, only women and villains are difficult to raise.
There is no other way, so I have to not go tonight...
He was about to refuse when he heard Miss Gish say to Old Kennedy and Miss Susie: "Since Niao is fine, I'll leave him to you."
"Ah! Do you mean that I should go to the opera with them in the evening?" Master Yuan whispered in her ear.
"Of course." The big star rolled her eyes at him coquettishly, picked up the wine glass to cover her mouth and whispered, "I'm just teaching you a lesson on behalf of An... um, and your fiancée."
In fact, this is the cleverness and sophistication of Miss Lillian Gish. Her childhood experience has taught her that men cannot be tied down by tying them up, and the more outstanding the man is, the more so. If this is the case, then don't tie him up.
However, you still have to express your dissatisfaction strongly. If you don’t mind if the man you like goes out and messes around, then what kind of “love” is that?
Yuan Yanshu had no choice but to scratch his head and spread his hands towards everyone else.
"Hahaha..." Everyone couldn't help laughing when they saw this strange "couple" acting funny.
In the early 1920s, opera was extremely popular in North America, especially among the upper class and intellectuals. Many wealthy people donated generously to not only form opera troupes, but also build exclusive theaters for each opera troupe.
For example, the Chicago Lyric Opera and the Chicago Grand Opera were sponsored by Harold F. McCormick and his wife, who was the big boss of the International Harvester Company (IHC) and his wife was the daughter of Rockefeller Sr.
Musicals are indeed very popular among the American people. Some people say that Americans' excitement and support for musicals in the 19th century "is like the Milanese waiting for Puccini's new opera or the Viennese waiting for Brahms' new symphony."
However, in 1921, musicals had not yet become popular. The most important factor was that the musical "drama" with a serious storyline had not yet appeared, and today's musicals tended to be funny song and dance farces.
A few days ago, our Master Yuan was wearing a Chinese suit with a strong gangster flavor, but tonight he changed into a tuxedo with a strong elite atmosphere.
Watching an opera is all about style... Well, no, he couldn't get into the Metropolitan Opera in New York without being dressed like this. It wasn't until 1944, after World War II, that the opera house allowed audiences wearing "military uniforms, private vacation uniforms, or everyday black dresses" to enter. However, the boxes and high-priced seats in the front still required men to wear black bow ties, and women to wear at least simple evening gowns.
Master Yuan, who looked stunning no matter what he wore, met old Kennedy waiting for him at the theater entrance, along with two ladies dressed in fancy clothes. One was naturally Miss Susie, and the other was his "female companion" tonight.
Miss Susie greeted him enthusiastically, "Mr. Yuan, let me introduce you to my colleague, Miss Ethel Merman.. "
