Synopsis/Details
Hollywood, 1933. Gargantual studio head Eugene Klingspiel gets a haircut. Then, while reading the trade papers and smoking a cigar, he experiences some indigestion and takes a bicarbonate of soda, after which he lies down.
As this middle-aged studio head rests, he fantasizes about his hostile takeover of rival studios, only to be interrupted by a visit from an up-and-coming young screenwriter named Charlie Baer (whom Klingspiel had called for the previous day). Baer’s contract is up for renewal soon, and Eugene Klingspiel immediately—and confidently—lowballs him at $250 a week. Negotiations begin, but, along with lots of “attitude,” Baer has an ace up his sleeve: he has already been offered $425 by Metro, and he wants $500 a week from Gargantual or he’ll quit. Baer gets what he wants, then abruptly leaves for lunch.
Eugene Klingspiel belches, takes another bicarbonate of soda . . . and will probably have to lie down again.
Story & Logistics
Story Type:
Pursuit
Story Situation:
Ambition
Story Conclusion:
Surprise Twist
Linear Structure:
Linear
Moral Affections:
Disrespect, Innocence, Reward, Selfishness
Cast Size:
Couple
Locations:
Single
Characters
Lead Role Ages:
Male Middle Aged, Male Young Adult
Hero Type:
Anti-Hero, Ordinary
Villian Type:
Authority Figure
Stock Character Types:
Bad boy, Fall guy
Advanced
Adaption:
Based on Existing Fiction
Subgenre:
Comedy, Drama, Literary Adaption, Satire, Showbiz, Spoof
Life Topics:
Mid-life Crisis/Middle Age
Super Powers:
Physical or mental domination
Time Period:
Age of Oil (after 1901), Great Depression (1929 – World War II), Interwar period (1918–1939), Late modern period, Machine Age (1880–1945)
Country:
United States of America (USA)
Time of Year:
Spring
Writer Style:
Ben Hecht, Coen Brothers, David Mamet
