The Life and Death of 9413, a Hollywood Extra

This experimental short film (around 1000') demonstrates some clever techniques for the time. Note the crossed title sequence so that neither director has top bill.

The camera work is by Gregg Toland who would later film Citizen Kane and Wuthering Heights. Rumour has it that the half lighting so characteristic of Toland's later work was achieved by accident when one of the two lights blew!

There is some interesting hand held camera work in there too.

Prolific television and second feature director Robert Florey teamed with Gregg Toland and others to produce this dark short around the advent of sound. It's a rather acerbic comic work that suggests instead of going west young man, better to stay put.

An optimistic fellow sets his sight on Hollywood stardom and takes Greeley's advice. Starting in at the bottom floor he is assigned an impersonal number for identification. Dehumanization of the spirit follows as reality sets in, employment wavers and bills pile up.

This avant garde word to the wise features some sharp camera work, dissolves and double exposure for its day. Well edited, it has a tragi-comic touch that remains unrelenting in its condemnation of the industry. A deceptively disturbing work in miniature.

Experimental - but accessible - movie describing the hardships of life as an extra in Hollywood that skilfully disguises the fact that it cost only $97 to make.

This short experimental film tells the story of a man (Jules Raucourt) who comes to Hollywood to become a star, only to find himself branded a lonely extra.

There is clearly talent behind this little-known film. Robert Florey, better known for "Murders in the Rue Morgue", directs. And his cinematographer is none other than Gregg Toland, who was the eyes behind many a major success, including "Citizen Kane".

This short shows that even as early as 1928, Hollywood had an appeal and glamor that would draw people in, only to be chewed up and spit out by the system. Actors are a dime a dozen... and while no picture would be complete without extras, they are nothing to the audience.

The impact this film had was profound. Considering the year it was made:1928, and the budget being $98.

$98 in 1928 equals $1,737.64 in 2024. Which is still very low cost. The clever tools used to create the imagery, telling a story was impressive. It goes to show that having human emotion, being moved, doesn't have to entail a multi-million dollar budget. Brilliant and resourceful story line, causing intrigue and thought provoking results.

Recommended viewing. Very interesting and entertaining. Good job, on the film makers, to pull off their concept, with low tech, low cost methods of story telling.