Marvel Salted Fish Kryptonian

"Come on, I do remember it. In New York, right?"

Henry replied, "Ms. Lauren Bacall, we met at a charity gala in New York. I was working as an assistant to Ms. Audrey Hepburn at the time."

"Oh, yes, I remember now. The little assistant next to Audrey." Lauren Bacall said meaningfully, "Our era has lost another iconic figure. I wonder who will be the next one?"

Catherine shot back, "Who else but us old folks will remember you? So look at it and cherish it. When we're all dead, you'll be mostly forgotten, too."

Henry opened his mouth and was about to say, "How could it be, Lauren Bai..."

The old woman's pinch wasn't particularly strong, but she nailed the right spot, and even a Kryptonian's skin would feel it. Katherine's eyes were sharp as she said, "Shut up, kid. I don't want to hear you ramble on about Betty's old movies in front of me."

After being pinched, Henry couldn't let Catherine down, so he just kept quiet. But he still lip-synced "The Big Sleep," the classic film starring Lauren Bacall, and winked, secretly giving a thumbs-up.

Lauren Bacall, whose real name is Betty Joan Persk, smiled with her eyes crescent-shaped and said, "Ha, I like this kid."

Catherine, who was quick-eyed and quick-handed, slapped the thumb that was secretly raised. The aggrieved Henry could only make an expression of sucking his finger, which made the old people present laugh.

There was no real conflict between Katherine and Lauren, and they were good friends. It was just that as actresses of the golden age, there was inevitably some competition between them.

But at their age, there's no competition anymore. They just rely on this little interaction to reminisce about the past.

So Henry chose a method that would not offend anyone, which not only made the two old people happy, but also made the other audiences laugh.

Catherine seemed to have suffered the injustice of being backstabbed, but in fact, it was the veteran actors present who were cooperating with the play.

Chapter 263 Unreliable Project

"Wait a minute, you said your name is Henry Brown?" Lauren Bacall confirmed again: "Audrey's assistant, the Henry Brown."

"Yes, that's me." Henry admitted. Then he asked worriedly, "What's wrong?"

"Audrey Hepburn's last recommendation is 'Love from Another Culture', the one by Henry Brown?"

Henry was a bit puzzled by the name at first. Then he remembered that it was a book that Ms. Hepburn had used his manuscript to publish. The title seemed to have been set by the publisher.

The publishing house was generally responsible for editing and post-production. Since they had agreed not to participate in promotion or book signings, Henry's royalties were considered low to medium. He held the copyright, but nothing else mattered.

Henry was stunned when someone mentioned the book. He said awkwardly, "I heard it didn't do very well. I didn't expect anyone to actually read it."

Even Katharine Hepburn beside him was surprised and said, "Henry, you must be aware that the book is very popular among a certain group of people."

Henry said calmly, "The fact that they use this statement proves that this book isn't a bestseller, but only those who like it like it. Of course, of course, I'm honored that you like it."

"But I'm just a translator of that book. The stories in it are original, not made up by me. So if you want to worship them, please go find the original author. Even though most of them have been dead for at least hundreds of years."

"You kid," Katharine Hepburn said, stroking her forehead, "you always look at things from a very special perspective and leave everyone speechless. Is that fun?"

"It's pretty funny, if you will." Henry smiled with a look of triumph.

Katharine Hepburn complained, "Is it too late to correct your bad character now? I really want to see what kind of parents can raise such a troublesome child."

"If you were to see the person who raised me, I guarantee you would think I'm so kind, I'm the greatest miracle God has given to this world."

Henry said this with a smile, but everyone present, older and more experienced, could not fail to hear the sadness behind his words. Everyone tacitly forgot about it and changed the subject.

Lauren Bacall asked, "Would you be interested in writing a screenplay and adapting a story into a movie? I know a lot of film companies are interested in the story in that book. Do you still have the rights to the adaptation?"

Henry's thoughts shifted slightly, and he immediately shook his head and said, "Everyone knows the status of screenwriters in Hollywood. Directors can change it if they want, actors can change it if they feel like it, and producers certainly have a hundred reasons to make changes.

"Anyway, those stories are not original to me. If anyone is interested in filming them, wouldn't it be better for them to collaborate with the people in the place where the stories take place? I won't bother to take the blame.

"As for the lines, if the production company wants to save money, they'll naturally find a way to avoid my version. Instead of arguing about that, it's better to just look at the sincerity of the production company itself."

Lauren Bacall said in surprise: "You don't think the film company's adaptation is good?"

Henry smiled and said, "Isn't Elizabeth Taylor's 'Cleopatra' a good example? In fact, many scenes in it seem to have many Egyptian elements in them, but most of them are misused.

"For example, putting a stone sculpture of a guardian deity, typically found in a mausoleum, in the queen's bedroom—how many people would die in real life? The outcry from Egyptologists is probably the least important criticism of this film."

Mentioning that tragic and tragic precedent, the veteran Hollywood figures present fell silent. Lauren Bacall said, somewhat dejectedly, "Will it really end the same way?"

Henry nodded earnestly and said, "This is simply an inevitable result. The book's sales show that this is a translation that doesn't have a wide audience. Therefore, when adapting it into a film, controlling costs is the most important factor in making a profit."

"But because the culture is so different, investment is essential to achieve the best possible reproduction of the costumes and sets. If the investment is insufficient, the work will be crude, and not only will people from the original culture be dissatisfied, but Hollywood audiences may not accept it either.

"If you invest more, you'll face box office pressure. The failure of Cleopatra can't be entirely blamed on Ms. Taylor. She was just the most obvious target.

"But if I push forward with this project of adapting this translated work, even if it doesn't end in the same failure, it will just be a loss, and I might be nailed to the cross for the rest of my life.

"Maybe even after I die, this incident will still be remembered by people in Hollywood. There was once an overconfident fool who thought that stories from foreign cultures, if they were authentic, could also attract arrogant Americans.

“I don’t deny that many people have the courage to explore the outside world and the spirit to identify with other cultures, but this is ultimately not the attitude of the majority.

"When cost pressure exceeds a certain threshold, attracting conservative groups to the cinema to watch a film that promotes pagan culture becomes the only way for the film to make a profit. Honestly, just thinking about it makes me feel hopeless."

Lauren Bacall said bitterly, “I thought this would be a good project.”

Henry pretended to be innocent and said honestly, "I hope so. But if the problem of different cultures and acclimatization is not solved, there will be no good ending.

"If a creep were to ask me about copyright, I'd just take whatever money I wanted. It would be best if I wasn't even named as a cosigner. But since Ms. Bacall asked me that question, I had to make my concerns clear. I don't want to be considered a creep afterward."

Katharine Hepburn then assisted, saying, "Son, next time you can tell me about this kind of thing in secret. I will definitely help you get a substantial amount of money for the adaptation, and any subsequent failure won't be your fault. How wonderful that would be."

Lauren Bacall also gave up her original idea at this time and said regretfully, "What a pity. I thought I could work with Katherine and play the White Snake and the Green Snake."

For your information, Lauren Bacall was born in 1924. This year is 1994, so she's just seventy years old. Katharine Hepburn was born in 1907, making her eighty-seven, worthy of being called a great-grandmother.

These two want to play Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing...

Well, in terms of age, eighty-seven and seventy years old respectively want to play the roles of a thousand-year-old demon and a five-hundred-year-old fairy, which are indeed too young.

Henry didn't know where to start complaining.

When Hollywood has been filming the Vampire Queen for thousands of years, they always know to find a girl in her twenties or thirties with a face full of collagen to play the role.

The Eastern fairy has to ask the "beauties" of the golden age to come forward. This Western filter is basically frosted glass.

Or is Xu Xian blind? No wonder in the original version, it was Xu Xian who begged Fahai to capture the two demons...

Chapter 264 Unreliable Project

"Wait a minute, you said your name is Henry Brown?" Lauren Bacall confirmed again: "Audrey's assistant, the Henry Brown."

"Yes, that's me." Henry admitted. Then he asked worriedly, "What's wrong?"

"Audrey Hepburn's last recommendation is 'Love from Another Culture', the one by Henry Brown?"

Henry was a bit puzzled by the name at first. Then he remembered that it was a book that Ms. Hepburn had used his manuscript to publish. The title seemed to have been set by the publisher.

The publishing house was generally responsible for editing and post-production. Since they had agreed not to participate in promotion or book signings, Henry's royalties were considered low to medium. He held the copyright, but nothing else mattered.

Henry was stunned when someone mentioned the book. He said awkwardly, "I heard it didn't do very well. I didn't expect anyone to actually read it."

Even Katharine Hepburn beside him was surprised and said, "Henry, you must be aware that the book is very popular among a certain group of people."

Henry said calmly, "The fact that they use this statement proves that this book isn't a bestseller, but only those who like it like it. Of course, of course, I'm honored that you like it."

"But I'm just a translator of that book. The stories in it are original, not made up by me. So if you want to worship them, please go find the original author. Even though most of them have been dead for at least hundreds of years."

"You kid," Katharine Hepburn said, stroking her forehead, "you always look at things from a very special perspective and leave everyone speechless. Is that fun?"

"It's pretty funny, if you will." Henry smiled with a look of triumph.

Katharine Hepburn complained, "Is it too late to correct your bad character now? I really want to see what kind of parents can raise such a troublesome child."

"If you were to see the person who raised me, I guarantee you would think I'm so kind, I'm the greatest miracle God has given to this world."

Henry said this with a smile, but everyone present, older and more experienced, could not fail to hear the sadness behind his words. Everyone tacitly forgot about it and changed the subject.

Lauren Bacall asked, "Would you be interested in writing a screenplay and adapting a story into a movie? I know a lot of film companies are interested in the story in that book. Do you still have the rights to the adaptation?"

Henry's thoughts shifted slightly, and he immediately shook his head and said, "Everyone knows the status of screenwriters in Hollywood. Directors can change it if they want, actors can change it if they feel like it, and producers certainly have a hundred reasons to make changes.

"Anyway, those stories are not original to me. If anyone is interested in filming them, wouldn't it be better for them to collaborate with the people in the place where the stories take place? I won't bother to take the blame.

"As for the lines, if the production company wants to save money, they'll naturally find a way to avoid my version. Instead of arguing about that, it's better to just look at the sincerity of the production company itself."

Lauren Bacall said in surprise: "You don't think the film company's adaptation is good?"

Henry smiled and said, "Isn't Elizabeth Taylor's 'Cleopatra' a good example? In fact, many scenes in it seem to have many Egyptian elements in them, but most of them are misused.

"For example, putting a stone sculpture of a guardian deity, typically found in a mausoleum, in the queen's bedroom—how many people would die in real life? The outcry from Egyptologists is probably the least important criticism of this film."

Mentioning that tragic and tragic precedent, the veteran Hollywood figures present fell silent. Lauren Bacall said, somewhat dejectedly, "Will it really end the same way?"

Henry nodded earnestly and said, "This is simply an inevitable result. The book's sales show that this is a translation that doesn't have a wide audience. Therefore, when adapting it into a film, controlling costs is the most important factor in making a profit."

"But because the culture is so different, investment is essential to achieve the best possible reproduction of the costumes and sets. If the investment is insufficient, the work will be crude, and not only will people from the original culture be dissatisfied, but Hollywood audiences may not accept it either.

"If you invest more, you'll face box office pressure. The failure of Cleopatra can't be entirely blamed on Ms. Taylor. She was just the most obvious target.

"But if I push forward with this project of adapting this translated work, even if it doesn't end in the same failure, it will just be a loss, and I might be nailed to the cross for the rest of my life.

"Maybe even after I die, this incident will still be remembered by people in Hollywood. There was once an overconfident fool who thought that stories from foreign cultures, if they were authentic, could also attract arrogant Americans.

“I don’t deny that many people have the courage to explore the outside world and the spirit to identify with other cultures, but this is ultimately not the attitude of the majority.

"When cost pressure exceeds a certain threshold, attracting conservative groups to the cinema to watch a film that promotes pagan culture becomes the only way for the film to make a profit. Honestly, just thinking about it makes me feel hopeless."

Lauren Bacall said bitterly, “I thought this would be a good project.”

Henry pretended to be innocent and said honestly, "I hope so. But if the problem of different cultures and acclimatization is not solved, there will be no good ending.

"If a creep were to ask me about copyright, I'd just take whatever money I wanted. It would be best if I wasn't even named as a cosigner. But since Ms. Bacall asked me that question, I had to make my concerns clear. I don't want to be considered a creep afterward."

Katharine Hepburn then assisted, saying, "Son, next time you can tell me about this kind of thing in secret. I will definitely help you get a substantial amount of money for the adaptation, and any subsequent failure won't be your fault. How wonderful that would be."

Lauren Bacall also gave up her original idea at this time and said regretfully, "What a pity. I thought I could work with Katherine and play the White Snake and the Green Snake."

For your information, Lauren Bacall was born in 1924. This year is 1994, so she's just seventy years old. Katharine Hepburn was born in 1907, making her eighty-seven, worthy of being called a great-grandmother.

These two want to play Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing...

Well, in terms of age, eighty-seven and seventy years old respectively want to play the roles of a thousand-year-old demon and a five-hundred-year-old fairy, which are indeed too young.

Henry didn't know where to start complaining.

When Hollywood has been filming the Vampire Queen for thousands of years, they always know to find a girl in her twenties or thirties with a face full of collagen to play the role.

The Eastern fairy has to ask the "beauties" of the golden age to come forward. This Western filter is basically frosted glass.

Or is Xu Xian blind? No wonder in the original version, it was Xu Xian who begged Fahai to capture the two demons...

Chapter 265: Long-lost Tony

Everyone in the lounge was, of course, familiar with Tony Stark's face. Precisely because they were familiar with him, they were surprised to see him in person.

Katharine Hepburn, however, was not surprised at all. She waved and said, "Little Tony, you are finally here."

"Katherine, sorry, there's a traffic jam."

Tony at this stage would still find excuses to explain himself! Henry was really enlightened.

But thinking about it, this was perfectly normal. After all, the person asking the question was someone considered an elder, not someone to be taken lightly. Furthermore, this person hadn't yet reached the arrogant demeanor he would later assume before becoming Iron Man.

When all the elders who can check and balance him are dead, he will be like a runaway horse!

However, Henry didn't react much after seeing the man, which made Tony curious and asked Katherine, "Did you tell him?"

"No, I didn't say anything."

The two of them were talking in a charade.

Henry picked up the food on the plate and ate while taking a moment to say, "The only person who could get Catherine to invite me to a party like this is someone we both know. So seeing you, no one would be surprised."

Tony, who had started growing a beard, bared his teeth. He regretted having invited us and wanted to turn around and leave.

However, Happy had already followed his previous instructions and asked everyone in the lounge to leave. Only Catherine, Tony, and Henry were left in the lounge. After clearing the room, Happy also waited outside the door.

Looking at the food Henry picked out on the plate, Tony looked like he wanted to eat but didn't dare to reach out, and it was obvious.

Seeing this, Catherine said, "Eat, little Tony. These things Henry picked are delicious. At least they don't have a weird taste. I remember you weren't so polite before."

The young master would reach out and eat whatever he liked when he saw it. This wasn't the first time he had done this. Since someone else would pay for it later, he was completely unscrupulous and fearless.

But this time Tony said firmly, "No." Then he turned his head away from the plate of food on the table.

This made Henry laugh and say, "Why, I didn't poison you. Are you so afraid of death?"

It was a joke, but Tony gave him a sharp look and a serious expression. He asked, "What did you know?"

Seeing this reaction, Henry lowered his voice in surprise and said, "Is there really someone who poisoned you?"