Annan, at Portage Camps, had a letter from Betsy Blythe on location, dated from Cross River in Westchester.
“Our first picture is called ‘The Real Thing,’” she wrote, “and we’re shooting all our exteriors while the foliage lasts. This is a wonderful spot for that—everything within a mile—and perfect weather.
“Frank Donnell is my director—a dear! And Stoll is our camera-man—none better in the profession. Our people are pretty good,—one or two miscast, I fear,—and we can get all the extras we can use, right here,—it’s hick-stuff, my dear, and there’s poods of it at hand.
“My people bought Quilling’s novel for $50,000. You should have heard Levant scream! But Dick Quilling can’t be had for nothing, and Crystal Gray herself did the continuity.
“I’m afraid to tell you how our footage stands—and no interiors so far. But our sets will be few and will cost nothing.
“Why should Tobacco shriek? We have our release already through the Five Star, and we get back our cost of production. Isn’t that sound business?
“Besides, five weeks should be sufficient for studio shooting. We get the Willow Tree Studios. Frank Donnell will do the cutting in the Lansing Laboratories, and use their projection rooms.
“I’ve a peach of a part if I’m up to it. Nobody else near me. Wally Crawford plays opposite—a very trying kid—the good-looking, smarty, rather common sort—all plastered hair and eyelashes—you know?
“The other principals will do.
“I’m very happy, Barry. I could even believe you sincere if you were here—I mean believe it for an hour or two of Westchester moonlight.