Every day this same lot is forced to dicker with blackmailing neignhours who adopt all manner of din-making tactics, even to shouting and beating dishpans. Occasionally entire families join in creating bedlam. Several times the studio has had its uncongenial neighbours bound over for disturbing tht peace, but they bounce right back. Cash in the palm is considered the only certain method of keeping up with schedules.
Location holdups are many for the same petty reasons, Farmers in the proximity of a shooting company aren't slow to realize the necessity for silence. They'll neglect thei soil tilling any time to cash in on the big shots from Hollywood David Selznick had some annoying experiences far out in the San Fernanda valley while making exteriors for "Gone With the Wind." "To project the idea of Atlanta in flames, h special-effects man unleashed a ba rage of red powder blown from a aeroplane propeller. The dust blew over a bean crop on an adjoining farm. Next day the farmer presented a stiff bill to Selznick, claiming his entire crop was ruined. The dust Was known to be harmless, so the company brushed off his claim.
Bright and early next morning the farmer appeared with his tractor. He clackety-clacked up and down a ploughed field not 100 yards from the shooting unit. But the company paid him not the slightest heed. They went on shooting. What the farmer didn't know was that the troupe was filming a speechless scene. The camera was loaded with silent film.
The farmer got madder and madder. Finally he dashed off to his house. He returned carrying a shot gun. Coming to the fence line he pointed the gun in the air and let go both barrels. He reloaded and did the same thing. Still no protest from those Hollywood fellers.
The farmer is probably wondering io this day how they made "Gone With the Wind" in the face of the terrific din he set up.
In filming Jackie Cooper's "The Aldrich Family in Life With Henry" Producer-Director Ted Reed rented a house in South Pasadena to represent the Aldrich residence. As he was ready to start shooting he heard a radio going full blast next door. He was informed by the neighbor that it would cost $50 to get the instrument turned off. Refusing to be held vin. Reed shot the scene anyway and dubbed in the voices of the cast later in the studio.
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