Exploiting Hollywood 1980.

Chapter 192 Hollywood Murder

Ronald stepped out of the cabin and waited for his checked luggage beside the luggage carousel at JFK Airport.This time, I asked my agent to collect a batch of scripts for teenage movies from Hollywood, and I plan to go back to New York to look them up for reference.

It took a long time to get the luggage, and Ronald was bored watching the TV on the pillar next to him.

This is a newly launched cable TV station CUU. Their strategy is very interesting, rolling news 24 hours a day.The usual public TV stations such as NBC and CBS only have 15-30 minutes of news programs at night, and rebroadcast them twice during the day at most.

But as soon as you turn on the CUU channel, there are various news programs.

This has brought a lot of convenience to business people. They don’t need to wait until night to learn important news. Knowing the news earlier means more money in many cases in America.

So the first channel for them to enter is the busy big airport. There are many business travelers here. If they see it well, they may call and install a subscription to CUU when they go home.

There is not much news about CUU, which just started broadcasting. The two hosts, male and female, broadcast important news, weather forecast, stock market information, and travel news.

Then came the entertainment news, Ronald suddenly saw a familiar face on the screen.

"Playboy's Girl of the Year, Hollywood actress, model, Dorothy Stratten was found shot dead this morning."

"what?"

Ronald's mouth was so big that he couldn't close it for a long time.

Stratten, a former client of his New York agent Eddie Cohen, also made a guest appearance at Ronald's Delta Omega Epsilon fraternity, which blew the crowd away and made the fraternity the most popular NYU fraternity. that.

"Dorothy Stratten has just finished filming director Peter Bogdanovich's new feature 'They All Laughed'. Police confirm Miss Stratten was shot dead, but no further interviews with the media are available. Commented, saying that the case is still under investigation and the suspect has been identified.”

Several male passengers who were waiting for their luggage also gathered around the TV and commented.

"I heard she was supposed to be in the centerfold for the next Playboy issue."

"Isn't that the page where that kind of photo has always been published?"

"Yeah, last year a playboy girl died in a car accident and was canceled. The playboy said it has no respect for the dead."

Ronald felt a little uncomfortable, and took two steps away from them. Maybe he knew Stratten and had spoken to her, so he couldn't listen to this kind of comment.

"Our reporter contacted the director Peter Bogdanovich, and his housekeeper said that Mr. Bogdanovich was overly frightened and fell asleep after taking sleeping pills, so he was unable to accept the interview.

Hugh Hefner, the owner of Playboy magazine, also said that he would not comment until the police released the official information, and hoped that the public would maintain respect for the deceased Miss Stratten. "

After taking his luggage and returning home, Ronald hurriedly called his agent Eddie.

"Have you heard?"

"Have you heard?"

Everyone's first sentence is to inform each other of the news.

"What's going on?" Ronald asked Eddie.

"I'm afraid that husband of hers did it," Eddie said on the phone.

"husband?"

"It's her original boyfriend, Paul Schneider. They got married some time ago."

It turned out that some time ago, Dorothy Stratten had contacted Eddie to ask if there was any way to keep Playboy from publishing photos like hers.

She has just filmed a new film by a great director, and she doesn't want to be watched by all the men in America.

Stratten fell in love with director Peter Bogdanovich while filming.Has moved into the director's house in Hollywood.

But Bogdanovich doesn't really want her picture taken down. His previous two movies were box office disasters. "They All Laughed" means a lot to his Hollywood career, so expect Stratten's Photos bring free publicity to movies.

"But she is married to her boyfriend, and now she is living with the great director Bogdanovich, and she wants to divorce her husband. This girl is always impulsive."

Ronald was also a little speechless.

"I persuaded him to let a divorce lawyer handle the divorce case, but Stratten still felt sorry for her husband, and hoped to break up with him peacefully and remain friends."

"Isn't this a little childish?"

"Hey, in fact, she just turned 20 years old. Imagine a 12th-grade teenager (Teenager), especially the style of beauty in high school. She is full of fantasies about love and romance, and thinks that her beauty can solve all difficulties."

"That's right." Ronald disapproved. I was only 20 years old, and there were many mature-minded classmates in high school. "Why do you say her husband might be the murderer?"

"Her husband, Paul Schneider, is notorious in Beverly Hills. He often uses the name of Dorothy's husband to enter and leave the star's mansion and do some unremarkable things, such as pimping and selling illegal drugs. I Rumors of him have been heard in New York."

"And Dorothy is asking around for ways to get a divorce. I'm afraid the news has already reached her husband's ears. This is an endless cash machine, and he has just hooked up with a big director. How could he divorce her so easily? ?
I advised her to let the divorce lawyer handle all the issues, which was the way that would have the least impact on her.Moreover, Bogdanovich’s house is on a hill, and the police force and security are abundant, so maybe it won’t happen…”

Ronald knew that the hill Eddie was talking about was Beverly Hills.Peter Bogdanovich directed a series of blockbuster films in the 70s, such as "Paper Moon", "Love Tracker", and "The Last Movie", which not only sold well, but also won a lot of Oscars.There was a lot of wealth accumulated at that time.

"Speaking of business, Calvin Klein has signed Brooke Shields' advertising contract, and the shooting of the commercial is just around the corner. Get ready."

"What preparations do we need?" Ronald was a little puzzled. Brooke Shields has signed, isn't it just waiting to start work?
"There's a competitor, and I've got you covered."

Eddie talked about the situation. When Ronald went to Los Angeles to discuss the transfer of the script, Calvin Klein met the famous photo photographer Richard Avedon (Richard Avedon). Ji Xiaosi's jeans advertisement.

However, Calvin Klein, who was closely watched by Eddie, still rejected his proposal and finally chose Ronald.

"Isn't he taking pictures? Why do you think you can take TV commercials?"

"It is said that he is Kee, and he has a close relationship with David Geffen in the music industry, and Calvin and David Geffen are good friends."

It's a real mess.Ronald had heard the name Richard Avedon, and his male "partner" had discovered a girl named Kelly Preston who had auditioned for the lead actress in "Endless Love."

"What gave him the courage? A graphic photographer also came to compete with me to shoot TV commercials?" Ronald was annoyed. This commercial can earn a lot of labor fees, and his studio has not started for a long time.

"Don't worry, Richard Avedon is a well-known photographer who shoots shots for major fashion magazines. He owns a mansion in Long Island. This time, it's mainly your chewing gum ad that gave Calvin Klein an impression. Profound, and at a critical moment, the news that your script sold for a sky-high price appeared in the New York Times. It is the second time to write your name."

"Oh, did you? Did you leave me a copy?"

Ronald turned his anger into joy. This was the first time his name had been published in a newspaper.

"Yes, I'll read it to you."

"Columbia Pictures paid $365 million for the production rights to a Vietnam War movie starring Jane Fonda, more than three other studios paid. Miss Fonda will receive $200 million regardless of whether or not the film of the author" is made."

"Huh! Even the name of the script has been changed?" Ronald was furious.

"Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the deal is that, as of now, not a single word of the story has been finalized. The film is being sold on the basis of screenwriter Ronald Lee's 45-minute sales pitch.

Columbia will get Miss Fonda for $365 million.As well as Mr. Lee, director James Bridges of Miss Fonda Productions, and producer Bruce Gilbert. "

"The following are all flattery to CAA President Michael Ovitz, and Columbia President Frank Price. Do you want me to read on?"

"Forget it, you can keep it. Bring it to me next time when you have time. I originally planned to frame this report and hang it at home."

"Hahaha……"

After making the phone call, Ronald walked to the house where his aunt lived.

"Ronnie!" Donna knew he was coming, so she waited for him at the door.

"Donna, I brought you a present." Ronald took out the Sony Walkman from his bag and handed it to Donna.

"Walkman! You're so kind, Ronnie." Donna hugged him happily, kissed him on the cheek, and went to find the tape tester.

"Where's my gift?" Diane Lane lived in Donna's house, so she was working hard.Have passed the equivalency examination.Her father Bert helped him choose a private high school not far away, and he could start normal high school life after the vacation.

"You have it too." Ronald quickly took out the second Walkman and handed it over.

"Thank you!" Diane's income can completely afford this kind of small toy, but she prefers this kind of family atmosphere of giving gifts to each other.Especially with a mom character like Aunt Karen, and a sister like Donna.

"Ronnie, you're here." Aunt Karen heard Donna's happy laughter and came out to hug Ronald.

"I brought you a scarf, Auntie."

"It's beautiful." Aunt Karen looked at the scarf. "I spoke to your wrestling teammate, Douglas Jr., and he's not suggesting we start a leg warmer factory right now."

"I think so too, but what did he say?"

"He said that it is difficult to grasp the market trend, and if the sales volume is unstable, it will be invested in fixed equipment, and I am afraid it will be idle. Especially leg warmers are a popular fashion. I don't know when it will blow, how strong the wind will be, and when it will stop. Blow."

"I'll talk to him."

Ronald thought about it, and this suggestion made sense.Don't stay vacant like the San Francisco diorama studio.A big director like Coppola can afford to lose, but he can't afford to lose.

(End of this chapter)