Rebirth in America

While Alex was busy selling hula hoops and preparing for DreamWorks, Morris suddenly brought two people.

One is a handsome man with a beard, and the other is a middle-aged man who looks fancy.

As soon as Morris came in, he said unceremoniously: "Alex! How are the sales of your hula hoops going? Have you made $8 million?"

Alex looked at him inexplicably and said, "How can it be so fast! What do you want from me?"

"Uh-huh! If nothing happens, can't I chat with you?"

Morris had become very familiar with Alex these days and knew that he was not like an ordinary child, so he stopped teasing him. He said, "I'm helping you find a way to make money this time."

This was a bit abrupt, but since Morris had known Alex's father for so long, he certainly wouldn't stand coldly and watch Alex spend all his money and end up unable to film "The Sound of Music." He also began to understand that the Carpenters intended to train Alex. But he was someone who couldn't stand by and watch, so he tried his best to help.

Alex looked at the two people who came with him. He didn't know what the other person could do. He asked, "Tell me what you think. If it's a good idea, I'll do it according to your suggestion."

Morris introduced the identity of the middle-aged man in colorful clothes and said: "This is Dalton Trumbo. He is a screenwriter."

Then, he introduced the man with the beard and said, "This is William Whitt. He is a director. I have known him since we were in France. We are old friends."

Finally, Morris introduced Alex to his two friends and said, "As for this kid, I think you all know him. He is Alex from the Carpenter Brothers!"

Alex shook hands with the two men and said hello. He kind of understood now that Morris wanted him to make movies and make money. This method is indeed the director's idea. What should I do if I’m short of money to make a movie? Of course, I make movies to make money to make movies.

"Are you so sure that the movie they make will make money?" Alex didn't believe it.

Morris didn't defend himself. He said, "You should read the movie script first before speaking."

The screenwriter named Dalton handed over his script. When Alex saw the name on it, he almost screamed with excitement.

A few big words written on the script - "Roman Holiday"!

Is this a turn of events? I didn’t expect that Morris would bring this movie!

Alex forced himself to calm down and flipped through the script. As he read it, he thought: "Hepburn just signed it, and a good script came to his door right away. What a coincidence, but why didn't these two people go to a big company? He just came to me."

Morris and others were not in a hurry and waited silently.

Alex planned to ask clearly. After turning over the script, he said, "Have you asked other companies about this film?"

"Of course we have, but they didn't agree to our conditions." It was Dalton, the screenwriter, who spoke.

"What are the conditions?" Alex didn't know much about the filming background of this film and wanted to know the behind-the-scenes story.

"We have to shoot on location, and we have to be the producer and director ourselves." Director William said, his voice a little deep.

Morris shrugged his shoulders and said: "I have read their script, and it is quite good. Maybe the subject matter is a bit old, but the audience is quite wide. Also, I know William's strength relatively well. As long as the funds are guaranteed, he will definitely be able to hand over a script." This is a great work."

Screenwriter Dalton said angrily: "Those big companies are unwilling to agree to our conditions and have to arrange other directors to make this film, but I don't think other people can make the feeling I want. Only William understands best what I want." desired effect."

Director William nodded gently and agreed. He said: "We have gone to Universal Pictures, Fox, Columbia and Paramount. They all wanted to make changes to this film, but we did not agree. In addition to Paramount, there are also some Although we are interested in continuing the discussion, other companies have rejected our conditions."

Morris continued: "Actually, someone wanted to make this film as early as 1949. That person was Frank Capra. Unfortunately, his production company encountered a financial crisis and withdrew from the film. Plan. I’ve been putting it off until now, and I’ll introduce the two of them to you as soon as I know.”

It turns out that this is the case, no wonder Morris was able to pull them over. After all, DreamWorks has never produced a film under Alex's control. Who has the guts to come and try the waters? This also just shows that Morris has a great influence in the film industry and can persuade these people who don't get what they want to come over.

However, Morris and the others did not tell Alex all the facts. The McCarthyism movement has begun to spread to all aspects of the United States, especially in the cultural field. Every day, people are isolated and censored by the authorities. Unfortunately, the director and screenwriter were targeted by those crazy people. This is why those big companies dare not invest in this movie. They hope to change the director.

As early as 1947, William Whitt was blacklisted by the Committee on Un-American Activities. He was thought to be sympathetic to communism and the Communist Party. William was one of the famous "Ten Gentlemen" at the time. He did not yield to pressure, but instead made accusations and refutations.

In the end, William was suspended from directing films. Now he is seeking a comeback, but no one dares to help him.

Not only is director William at risk of being targeted by McCarthyists, but screenwriter Dalton also has major problems. At this time, William had been off the blacklist for a while, but Dalton was still on the list.

It wasn't until the movie was finished and William sent over the film credits that Alex discovered that Dalton's name was not found on it. At this time, he realized that he had been kept in the dark by these three people. Fortunately, this film did not have any forbidden scenes, so it was not banned from being released.

Alex looked at the people in front of him and made a quick decision. He said, "What's your budget? Who do you plan to star in?"

When Morris and others heard this, they knew something was going on! Everyone was immediately excited, especially William, who planned to be a director and producer.

Director William immediately said: "We have a budget of 1.5 million US dollars. We were originally going to find Cary Grant. The prototype of the male protagonist of this script was originally written based on him. But he was rejected by the other party, and later we found Gregory Peck to be the actor. As for the protagonist, he agreed. As for the heroine, she has not yet been determined."

Alex was a little embarrassed after hearing this. He happened to be a little tight on money right now. If he took out another $1.5 million all at once, he might be in trouble in the future.

After screenwriter Dalton saw Alex's expression, he quickly explained: "We plan to make this film in color, so the budget will be higher."

Color film? Isn't it a black and white movie? This era happened to be a period of fierce competition between color films and black-and-white films. In a few years, black and white movies will eventually be completely defeated, and this "Roman Holiday" will be the last step to become a classic of black and white movies.

Alex reacted immediately, and asked Dalton: "If it is made into a black and white movie, how much do you estimate it will cost?"

Dalton's face looked a little ugly, but he still said: "We have also calculated the budget for shooting a black and white film, and it should be within 1 million US dollars."

After hearing this, Alex felt relieved. He could still get it for $1 million.

"Then I will only give you $1 million, nothing more."

Morris, who had been listening to them, couldn't bear it any longer. He spoke up for Dalton and the others and said, "Alex, you don't have to be so stingy. It's just an extra $500,000, not as much as you." That’s a lot of money from a record.”

Alex shook his head and smiled: "It's different now. The money I earned from my records can no longer be moved even half a cent. You also know how I spent the 8 million US dollars in my hand. Now I only have It’s less than 2 million U.S. dollars, but if you and I take away 1.5 million U.S. dollars, it will be over.”

After listening to Alex's sincere words, Morris and the others knew that it would be impossible to get more money to make this film. As for US$1 million, it was enough for them to make a black and white film.

"No, I think it must be shot in color." Director William firmly disagreed. He believed that this would prevent the film from showing the beautiful scenery of Rome.

Alex still insisted on his opinion, only $1 million, not more.

Morris had no choice but to patiently persuade director William, saying: "You can make good films in black and white."

Director William thought for a while, then reached out to Alex and said, "Then let's do this. Give me $1 million, and I will make a good work for you."

Alex also reached out and held the other person's hand. He said: "As for the heroine, I have a good candidate here. You must meet her."

After receiving the news, Audrey Hepburn rushed over from Europe. She originally thought she would have to wait for more than a year before starting filming. Previously, Alex also asked Hepburn to go home. No one expected that there would be a new opportunity so soon.

Director William and screenwriter Dalton initially felt that Hepburn was too thin and her face did not meet Western aesthetic standards, so they did not agree with letting her be the heroine. Alex insisted that they observe for a few days before making a decision immediately.

Unexpectedly, the longer they got along with Hepburn, the more they felt that the role of Princess Anne must be shot by her.

Especially one day, after they saw Hepburn, who was plainly dressed but looked noble and elegant, they decided on the spot to let her play the heroine of "Roman Holiday". They believe that no one can be as pure, innocent and noble as Hepburn.

"Really? Can I really play the heroine?"

Hepburn jumped up with joy. She quickly ran to director William and screenwriter Dalton and gave them a warm hug respectively. Of course, she didn't forget Alex and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you, thank you." She said excitedly. She has been waiting for new opportunities since the last movie was filmed, and finally she waited until now.

Hepburn's original dream was to become a prima ballerina, but due to the long-term hunger during the war that affected her muscle development, she grew too tall and thin, and her appearance did not meet Western aesthetic standards. This gave her a sense of inferiority, thinking that no one would marry her because she was so ugly.

Now someone actually asked her to play a princess! Becoming a princess is what every girl dreams of. Of course Hepburn would be thrilled about this.

The male and female protagonists have been chosen, and the money from Alex has been received. William, who is also the director and producer, immediately arranged his work schedule and was ready to start shooting at any time. The manpower and filming equipment they needed were already available at DreamWorks, which saved a lot of trouble.

DreamWorks also started shooting its first movie. UU Kanshu www.uukanshu.net The shooting of their movie was carried out quietly. In less than a week, they were already flying to Rome to shoot on location.

After seeing off the filming crew of "Roman Holiday", Alex was busy with hula hoops again. Under his guidance, more and more people began to regard hula hoop as a sports competition, and this fashionable sport became popular in many countries.

At this time, Alex's hands were cramping when he counted the money. Manufacturers from various countries remitted the patent fees they should pay. More than a year later, by the end of 1953, excluding taxes and other expenses, Alex earned more than 9 million U.S. dollars from hula hoops.

After making money and getting rich, Alex certainly couldn't forget other people. He first rewarded Chuck with $200,000. Then he gave Sam a big envelope of US$300,000, and then used US$500,000 as employee bonuses. The employees here include people from Hula Hoop Manufacturing Factory and DreamWorks.

The total prize money is US$1 million, which is a lot of money in this era. Alex is so generous, and Chuck and others are even more grateful. In layman's terms, their loyalty has increased by 5 points.

As for the Carpenters, they shook their heads and felt that Alex simply did not treat money as money. But there was nothing they could do, after all, Alex earned all the money by himself. It was agreed at the beginning that Alex would handle it by himself.

Since the success of the hula hoop money-making plan, Alex's status in the family has obviously risen a lot. At least, he is now able to make his own decisions. It is different when he has money in his hands.