----- Original Message ----- From: <
DJ-Anonyme@webtv.net> To: <
rara-avis-l@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Monday, September
11, 2006 4:39 PM Subject: Re: RARA-AVIS: HOLLYWOODLAND
> Jim, just curious, how much say does a historical
consultant have? I
> would guess that they would want at least the
appearance of historical
> accuracy (no cell phones in the '50s, for instance),
but when it comes
> down to a choice with plot or characterization, how
easily is it
> sacrifced?
I can't really speak for other films, though as an actor and
a writer I have often heard the dreaded phrase "Oh, no one
will ever notice" applied to questions regarding historical
accuracy -- usually in terms of things like weapons or
lighters or airplanes. My job on Hollywoodland was not of
this sort. I didn't have anything to do with the regular
prevention of anachronisms. I was there to approve or
disapprove elements of the script relating to George Reeves's
life and the lives of the people pertinent to his story. Yes,
I pointed out that there's no gas station at the foot of
Benedict Canyon (they did ignore this suggestion), but mainly
I talked to them about when and where certain people met, the
style and decoration of various homes belonging to real-life
characters, the casting of all of the real-life roles, things
of this sort. I hope the decision to go with Bob Hoskins for
Eddie Mannix instead of Harvey Keitel was in part due to my
influence, which I certainly exerted. I was particularly
called upon to explain elements of the apparent mystery
surrounding Reeves's death so that the various theories could
be played out with some accuracy, especially in light of how
many urban legends there are about this story. And I would
get calls asking what kind of car Reeves drove (a 1953 Alvis,
something the producers tracked down and used in spite of its
comparative rarity), or how tall a certain person was or what
his voice sounded like. I found the producers to be far more
attentive to this sort of detail than most are, and far more
welcoming of an outsider's opinion. And I would say that they
acted on approximately 99% of my suggestions and
corrections.
Jim Beaver
RARA-AVIS home page: http://www.miskatonic.org/rara-avis/
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 11 Sep 2006 EDT