Its idea of production value is spending a million dollars dressing up a story that any good writer would throw away. Its vision of the rewarding movie is a vehicle for some glamour-puss with two expressions and eighteen changes of costume, or for some male idol of the muddled millions with a permanent hangover, six worn-out acting tricks, the build of a lifeguard, and the mentality of a chicken-strangler.

Summary

This quote criticizes the notion of production value in the film industry, suggesting that it often prioritizes extravagant visual elements over a strong story. It argues that a good writer would not deem such excessive dressing necessary. The quote also denounces the idea of a rewarding movie as one that focuses solely on glamorous actors with limited expressions and numerous costume changes, or on male idols who lack depth and rely on repetitive acting techniques. Overall, the quote expresses dissatisfaction with the industry's preference for style and superficiality over substance and talent.

Topics