It's a Great Feeling

Narrator: Just a few miles from Hollywood

is the largest studio in the world:

The home of Warner brothers pictures.

This is the entrance

to a world of glamour and enchantment.

Through these portals

pass the most beautiful trucks in the world,

bringing to the studio the many different things

necessary to produce a picture:

Equipment, costumes--

Everything, in fact, from an airplane to a hairpin.

It's just an average day in the studio

for most of our people,

but it seems to be a special event

for the director.

Mr. Trent's on the phone, Raoul.

Oh, Arthur.

You're my favorite producer,

and I'd do anything in the world for you

except that!

All right. Let's finish this clambake.

Yes. This is King Vidor. Put him on.

Arthur: Have you made up your mind, king?

I've made up my mind, Arthur.

Get yourself another boy.

I'm a director, not a butcher.

Oh, Mr. Curtiz. Yes?

Mr. Trent is on the phone again.

Tell him stop calling me.

My third no is final!

Yes, sir.

Yes, Mr. Trent. I'll take care of it.

And, uh, David Butler is here to see you.

You're in, Mr. Butler.

Thanks, honey.

Come in, David.

I have great news for you.

Arthur.

Dave, I want you to know

that Curtiz, Walsh, and Vidor

have been calling me all morning,

fighting to do this new picture I'm producing,

but I'm saving it just for you.

Well, thanks.

You're going to direct mademoiselle Fifi,

starring Dennis Morgan.

Great.

And Jack Carson.

It's been nice knowing you.

Yes, sir?

Intercom: Have you talked any director

into doing the Morgan-Carson picture?

No, sir.

It seems there's only one man in the studio

who'll direct a picture with Jack Carson in it.

We have to start shooting by Friday.

Whoever it is, get him.

But just a minute--

Get him!

Yes, sir.

Warner brothers started talking pictures.

Now it looks like they're gonna finish 'em, too.

I won't let them do it to me.

You know what it'd be like

with that guy in charge of a picture?

Yep.

I love Carson. He's a wonderful guy,

but he's such a big ham.

With him in front of the camera

and behind the camera,

where would I wind up?

Yep.

He'll give himself every love scene with the girl,

every good line, every close-up.

The only thing the audience'll see of me

is the back of my head.

Of course, that's better than the front of Carson's,

but at least I'd like my own mother to recognize me.

Yep.

What am I knocking myself out about a picture for anyway?

I always wanted to go to Broadway,

the theater, the thrill of an opening night.

Doesn't it make the blood pound in your veins?

Yep.

Well, thanks, Coop.

You've been a big help.

I have?

Yep.

Man lying down: Say the studio isn't really serious

about letting Carson direct a picture.

Serious? They're mad about it.

I can understand that.

Jealous.

Well, well, well. Jack Curtiz in person.

That's the trouble with you actors, Ronnie:

No appreciation for what we directors do

to make you look good.

Oh, Morgan would love to hear you say that.

Don't think it's gonna be an easy job directing Dennis.

I love him. He's a wonderful guy,

but he's such a big ham.

What makes you think you'll have trouble with him?

Oh, you know how Morgan is.

He's always trying to get his face in the camera.

I may have to turn him around a little.

Uh, so you can get your face in the camera.

Yeah. Yeah.

Well, now let me get this straight.

You love Dennis.

That's right.

He's a wonderful fella.

One of the best.

Uh-huh, but he's such a big ham.

The biggest ham in Hollywood.

Good luck.

Thanks.

How are you, genius?

Hello.

He--

Oh, hello, Dennis.

I was just saying some nice things about you.

I know. I saw the razor.

Hey, wait a minute.

You didn't finish my nails yet.

You got teeth, haven't you?

Hello, Mr. Morgan.

Hello, Agnes.

A New York haircut, nice and short.

Hey. Hey, wait a minute, Dennis, not too short.

Don't forget, we're gonna do mademoiselle Fifi,

about the gay nineties.

You and me, we need some of that fluff around our necks.

Very short. Yes, sir.

Dennis, as your director, I insist you look the part

or else we'll get you a wig.

Fine. While you're at it,

get somebody to stand under it, too.

Wait a minute.

Dennis, you can't quit the picture now.

You can't do this to me. Why not?

Because if you're not in it,

they'll cancel the whole thing.

Don't be silly, Jack.

You're gonna be the director.

You're gonna be the star.

You're gonna see the picture.

It's a round Robin. You can't miss.

Yeah, but-- just a minute, please, huh?

Yes, sir.

Look, Dennis. I may as well be frank.

I'm broke. I need the money.

I'm building a house. I just bought a car.

I got to make this picture right now.

Money isn't everything.

All money brings you is unhappiness.

Yeah. Well, I got to get a hunk of that misery every week

or else the sheriff will get me.

I'd like to help you, Jack,

but I've got a deal for a New York show.

A producer's in town today from New York.

I'm running through some of the numbers for him.

Great score, too.

Why don't you, uh,

drop over to the recording stage later

and eat your heart out?

Pretty soon, that's all I'll have left to eat.

I'm not a bit moved.

Tomorrow I'll be on the train heading east.

Yeah? Well, look for me. I'll be on the track...

Stretched across it.

Naw.

I can't do it. I need the money.

you're making a big mistake.

His voice will never get over in New York.

he gets so far off-key,

he needs a compass to get back.

you need a trained voice for your show.

His isn't even housebroken.