The stars, staff, production assistants, and other elderly people who could be found who participated in the filming of "The Last Day" were all invited to the screening room of Universal Studios to watch together the film based on director Orson Welles'
A copy of the original cut.
Look at the time bomb scene. In the close-up, the three-minute time bomb is placed in the trunk of the vehicle. After that, the protagonist Vargas (Charlton Heston) and his wife Susan (Janet Leigh)
The audience was naturally worried about whether they would be hit by the explosion as they kept walking in front of, behind, and left of the two cars... It wasn't until the couple stopped to go through customs and registered that there was a loud bang in front of them, and the car exploded, that they felt relieved.
"This was his original intention back then. It's a pity that Universal's Albert Zugsmith was a fool and couldn't understand this epoch-making expression technique at all."
Ernie Nims, the editor Welles worked with and the director of production at that time, was very excited when he saw this shot.
Ronald was also very excited when he saw it. The biggest difference between this restored version and the original version is that the sound effects were changed from background music to various live sounds. For example, the sounds of various bars on the roadside, and the radio music in cars,
And the music of the ice cream shop. These music all follow the movement of the characters, and the sound is smaller and louder, giving people an immersive feeling.
Orson Welles's technique was not re-invented until Lucas was filming "American Graciousness", and Lucas' processing was not as good as Orson Welles's, with all kinds of noise and
The loudness ratio of the characters' dialogue seems unnatural.
What really reached the level of Orson Welles again was the immersive sound of "Scattered Lulu" filmed by Jonathan Demme five or six years ago, when a black man was carrying a loudspeaker recorder in the opening scene.
deal with.
"We shot this shot five or six times, and finally succeeded in one take before dawn. Teacher Orson Welles was said to be a waste of budget, which is wrong. This long shot of his took at least two days for other directors to shoot.
And the effect is not as good as this kind of one-shot processing..."
The leading actor Charlton Heston told Universal back then that he was the top star who vouched for Welles. In the end, the movie did not end well, and he was also implicated. Therefore, producer Albert Zugsmith
Lots of complaints...
"I still remember this long shot. The film didn't stop for ten minutes. Their camera exited the room, and the staff there demolished the wall to make it easier for the camera to move in again..."
Janet Leigh screamed. This long shot was not so dazzling, but it was very skillful and natural. Many people didn't notice it. She broke her left arm back then, all thanks to Orson Welles's clever arrangement.
She just finished filming this movie, which also gave her a certain degree of popularity. A year later, she played a similar heroine in Hitchcock's "Psycho" and achieved her greatest success.
Ronald and Walter Murch were also there, and they chatted quietly. This movie indeed has many similarities with Hitchcock's most famous "Psycho". The heroine is a person, and she is also in a motel.
In "Unfortunately", many of the shots and editing techniques are very similar to those in the know. They are both films produced and distributed by Universal.
But the results were very different. Hitchcock took this opportunity to return to the ranks of major Hollywood directors and made a lot of money commercially with this film. But Orson Welles was feeling sad. After the release of "Psycho"
, quietly returned to Europe.
After that, he gradually withdrew from the mainstream ranks of movies and could only appear as a guest actor in various European movies.
After watching the finale, which used sound to reveal secrets, Quinlan, played by Orson Welles, died. Looking at the river where he was buried, Marlene Dietrich's character and another
The police are talking about this Quinlan.
"Is this what you say about him?"
"He's such an amazing man."
The last shot stayed on the close-up of Marlene Dietrich. The audience burst into endless applause.
"This is great, when can this masterpiece be seen again?" The heroine Janet Leigh actually likes this movie far more than the "Psycho" that made her famous in one fell swoop.
After all, the two directors' methods of treating actors are two extremes. Orson Welles was very humane and allowed her to find a way to complete the filming with a broken arm, while Hitchcock's most famous saying was to treat actors as cattle and horses.
Let’s look at it.
"We have communicated with Universal. In addition to re-releasing it in America in the summer, we are also preparing to participate in the Cannes Film Festival and premiere the restored version..."
Ronald told Janet Leigh the news, and the old men and women present cheered. Orson Welles's prestige among actors is still very high.
"In addition, I also hope that you and Charlton Heston will go to Cannes to attend the premiere. We have also contacted Marlene Dietrich's relatives, hoping that they can also attend. In addition, the ladies and gentlemen present
If you are willing to go, our daydream will take care of the food, accommodation and transportation expenses, so you don’t have to worry about the fatigue of the journey..."
Ronald originally wanted to hype this restored version into a relatively big event to please the Oscar judges. In addition, there are many classic old movies in Europe. This is also an advertisement. If the European film companies are willing, they can
It can be handed over to Standard Collection for restoration.
In addition to being re-released, "The Lady" will also be released as a classic restored series in the standard collection. Contracts are being negotiated with TV stations to replace the bad version in classic theaters.
"Honey, will you go with me?" Janet Lee was very happy and patted her daughter Jamie Lee Curtis' hand.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Mom, I'm going to the set of True Lies then."
"It doesn't matter. We will charter a plane and prepare enough assistants. You don't have to worry about anything. Just dress up and attend as a big star. Let the people of China get to know you as a great beauty again." Ronald stepped forward.
Interjection, these old men and women are very old, and he and Universal have made full preparations.
"Ah hahaha, Ronald, you are really, if you were born at that time, you would definitely be a lovable young man..."
The script of True Lies was finally revised under the auspices of Cameron. The plot of the original Japanese film was revised a lot based on the reality of America. Now it is in the stage of preparation.
Ronald simply took Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Lee, and Charlton Heston and drove to Cameron's office to visit in person. Many old actors also got in the car and talked with Ronald
Go with Nader.
After all, Cameron's reputation as a director is no less than that of Ronald. When the two directors meet and chat, what if there are any elderly roles that need to be auditioned? These stars who came out of the golden age are very sensitive to this.
This also brought back the feeling of going to director-producer parties when they were young to ask for roles. They were all in high spirits, and they felt happier every time they watched someone like Ronald let them relive their old dreams. How could such a good director
What if he didn’t win the Oscar for Best Director? We also have to help young people.
When Cameron arrived at the office prepared for him by 20th Century Fox, he was doing auditions. Many actors were waiting at the door. Sometimes when a big director is casting, as long as he is willing, many actors will come over without asking for audition opportunities.
, just able to chat with the director for a few words.
The silver-haired audition (travel group) brought by Ronald immediately caused a commotion, alarming Cameron inside.
"Ronald, oh my God, are you Jamie's mother? Mr. Charlton Heston?" Cameron recognized the heroine's mother, Janet Leigh, and also recognized several of the leading actors.
, a few words of greetings made these old people very happy, and they could chat more with their grandchildren when they returned home.
It just so happened that Cameron was in need of a role as a senior spy, and he fell in love with the face of Charlton Heston. Moreover, he had played many TV series with similar roles, and he was a friendly face to the audience.
"Ah, dear, I'll be the first..." Charlton Heston didn't expect that he could play a role, so he put on the eye patch handed over by the makeup artist. After putting it on, he looked like a one-eyed dragon,
Went to take custom photos.
"It's a pity that there are no suitable female characters..."
"It doesn't matter, I'm already very happy. Oh my God, it's really good. I feel like I'm young again." Janet Leigh said quietly to Ronald. They were just discussing that there is no director in Hollywood like him now.
He was so friendly to them, and they all agreed to vote for him next time.
"Hey hey hey..." Ronald's purpose was this, and he was very happy.
"Can I borrow your young lover for a while?" Cameron came over and said to Janet Leigh, pressing Ronald's shoulder.
"We are actors. When the director needs privacy, we know how to do it." Janet Leigh stood up and went to play with her daughter. Cameron's crew had many models of airplanes, which were much better than when she was filming air combat movies.
It was much more exquisite. The old lady also became interested and went to visit.
"I need your help, Ronald." Cameron closed the door.
"How can I help?" Ronald and he have a close relationship, and everyone can talk directly.
"I need the army to give me better conditions..."
One of the important props in the movie is the Harrier fighter jet, which takes off and lands vertically. This kind of fighter is very expensive to use because vertical takeoff and landing consumes more fuel and requires better maintenance.
Cameron contacted the Navy's liaison office in Hollywood, but they initially wanted to persuade Cameron to switch to another aircraft type. After learning that vertical takeoff and landing was part of the plot of the movie, they reluctantly quoted a very high price.
price, and only offers the rental of one aircraft.
Cameron knew that Ronald had special access, so he asked him to come over and have a private communication.
"Hey, I know why, Jim. This kind of aircraft (AV-8B) is the main force of the Marine Corps, and the Navy also has it, but they don't want the Marines' weapons to shine in your movie."
"What should we do? We have the best relationship with the Navy. Is it possible to ask the British Royal Navy to borrow them? They also have Harrier fighter jets. I heard you..." Cameron was not sure whether Ronald would like others to mention him.
relationship with the royal family.
"No, if they want to borrow it commercially, they have to fly over from Portsmouth. I'll just call the Marines."
"I thought you only had a good relationship with the Navy?" Cameron raised his eyebrows. Is his old friend's path even rougher than he thought?
"Didn't I tell you? My father served in the Marines... I also filmed the helicopter version of Top Gun for the Army and Marines... They had a good relationship with me, and the helicopter pilot team at the time
, we went directly to Kuwait to fight after filming..."
"Does it have something to do with you being in the helicopter unit?"
"Why, you want it too?"
"Of course, we hope to have real gunships..."
"No problem...let me ask..."
Ronald went out and contacted George through the car phone, and he was very happy to do so. The retired commander-in-chief, George Sr., was one of the few former commanders who still read the daily intelligence summary after retirement. He also
I am happy to maintain some influence in the military. Making movies is a very rare opportunity for those soldiers.
"It's done, three Harrier fighter jets, three helicopters, a total of 3,000 US dollars per hour, and the wet lease includes the pilot. But you have to provide signed posters of the heroine and Mr. Schwarzenegger, and a photo opportunity."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "Oh, I don't know how to thank you, Ronald." Cameron was very happy when he heard such a cheap price.
"Inform them of the total shooting time in advance. The Marine Corps boys can endure hardship the most. I just hope that the stars will treat them equally and bring some trophies back so they can brag about them later..."
"Hahaha……"
Cameron said he had taken note of it, and the two walked out of the room. Over there, Charlton Heston was wearing a cyclops eyepatch, had also finished trying on the mirror, and was sitting in the office waiting for Schwarzenegger to come over and test his reaction together.
"This eyepatch is so special, isn't it?" Ronald looked at the large leather eyepatch, which was held diagonally from his head. Compared with ordinary eyepatch, it was larger and more conspicuous, very special.
"Yes, it's the one you thought of..." Cameron nodded, indicating that it was his design.
The shape of this eyepatch is very similar to Nick Fury in Marvel's "The Punisher" comics. It seems that Cameron, a comic fan, did not forget to pay tribute to his childhood hobby in the movie.
"Mr. Heston..."
The door of a room over there opened, and the sound of music floated out. Schwarzenegger and a female dance instructor came out dancing to the rhythm together.
The music is very familiar, it is the same tango that Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino danced blindly in "Scent of a Woman".
However, Schwarzenegger's physique is much stronger. In many subtle ways, he does not have the unique temperament of tango, but looks more like a strongman contestant doing stretching exercises.
"Ah, Ronald, you're here too, how's my dancing going?" Schwarzenegger's eyes widened and he asked.
"Great, you have a better sense of power than Al Pacino."
"Thank you. I have to practice harder. I don't want to be compared with him. When the time comes, I will also have the same soundtrack..."
Schwarzenegger smiled and chatted with Ronald for a few words, then pulled him aside.
"Ronald, I have some things that are inconvenient to tell Jim, but you can understand me. Do you think Jamie Lee Curtis is not suitable to be my heroine?"
"Why?" Ronald frowned, why are you just saying it now when you have a question? Is this because you are dissatisfied with the Jamie Lee Curtis you recommended?
"Maria knows, she talks in my ears every day, I'm a little tired of it..."
"I suggest you watch a fish named Wanda played by Jamie, you will feel it..."
Ronald recommended Jamie Lee Curtis's best acting work, but he didn't expect that Schwarzenegger was actually a henpecked person.