Although the "Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America" was not an official organization, it had always been the authoritative body in charge of the entire American film industry. The person in charge, William Hayes, was a devout Puritan and could be described as impartial. After receiving the order from the federal government, Hayes called Chu Ke and asked Paramount to recall all the copies of "The Civil War." Chu Ke had no choice but to comply.


    The "Civil War," which had been hyped up, ended hastily after being screened for more than a week. Except for First National Pictures, which recovered its investment, the other companies basically suffered losses. Paramount was hit hard, with an investment of 2 million dollars ultimately yielding less than 500,000 in box office revenue. Leibes Piery was scolded by Chu Ke and locked in the editing room to re-edit the film.


    In fact, even if the edited "Civil War" was allowed to be screened, the damage to its reputation, especially for the Southern camp, particularly Paramount, would be difficult to recover.


    On the last day of July, in the courtyard of DreamWorks, the heads of the major companies in the Northern camp gathered together to celebrate the victory of the battle. With the unexpected withdrawal of "The Civil War," "Lust, Caution" occupied most of the audience market, and the substantial profit of the Northern camp was a foregone conclusion.


    More than a dozen long tables covered with snow-white tablecloths were arranged in the courtyard, filled with snacks and wine. For the sake of liveliness, Gans also invited a small band. A group of people sang and danced in the courtyard, very happy.


    I leaned against the wall with a glass of wine in my hand, looking up at the cloudless sky, thinking about various things. I saw Lehmer staggering towards me.


    "Why don''t you go over there? Young people should enjoy life more. Look at me, I''m so old, and I still know how to exercise," Lehmer leaned against the wall imitating me and poked me, "What are your plans for the future? This movie made you a fortune. I guess when the movie is withdrawn, you will have a considerable amount of money in your hands."


    I smiled, "No plans for the time being, let''s rest for a while."


    Lehmer didn''t expect me to become so indifferent suddenly and smiled, "Andre, this is not like your style. You should strike while the iron is hot. Don''t worry, if you want to make a movie and have funding problems, just come to me. Universal and DreamWorks will always be friends. Andre, I, Lehmer, owe you a favor."


    The two of us chatted intermittently. Griffith staggered over.


    "Boss, Lehmer, why are you hiding in this place? Today is lively enough," Griffith lay comfortably on a chair beside him and burped.


    He had just quit his job as a director for United Artists and officially joined DreamWorks. He was the first director I signed.


    "David, can''t you drink less? Alcohol is not good for you. I still rely on you to make money for me," I walked over and patted Griffith. He put down his glass and nodded.


    The three of us chattered on one side, and before long, Lenny, John Cohn, Todd Browning, Tom Boyd, Sidney Olcott, and Charlie Bara were all attracted over. When others saw us chatting together, they knew that this was the communication of the company''s upper management, so they didn''t come over.


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    "Gentlemen, I heard something very interesting today," Lenny looked at us and smiled.


    "What is it?" Everyone was very curious.


    Lenny lowered his voice and said, "After the ''Civil War'' was withdrawn, a film shortage began to appear in the Southern camp. Except for Paramount, other companies have already started filming. It is said that the themes are similar to ''Lust, Caution.'' Some movies are said to have more explicit shots than ''Lust, Caution.''"


    "They saw ''Lust, Caution'' was popular and wanted to follow the trend," Browning laughed loudly.


    John Cohn shook his head, "It is said that several companies have made great efforts. Warner Bros. asked Lubitsch to start shooting ''The Forbidden Road,'' Fox asked Claude Bruckman to direct ''Desire Crazy,'' the Trust Film Company and Royal Film Company under Mutual have each shot a similar movie, and even First National Pictures has rushed to shoot one. By the end of August, Hollywood cinemas will be lively."


    Everyone laughed heartily, only Charlie Bara looked a little embarrassed. He looked at us and said with some concern, "Will their movies, once they start shooting, grab our market? I think we should also make some."


    His words were quite agreeable to some people, especially John Cohn and Tom Boyd.


    "Andre, does DreamWorks have the willingness to make a few more movies like ''Lust, Caution''?" Charlie Bara asked tentatively.


    I lazily took a sip of wine and replied, "Let''s rest for a while. I still have to spend a lot of energy on company affairs. Our DreamWorks is not like yours. We started from scratch. When you big bosses give me the dividends, I still have to use this money to buy some household items."


    "There are many good places in the northern part of Hollywood. Do you want me to find a big one for you as a factory site?" Browning offered kindly.


    I waved my hand, "I don''t have that much money to go to those good places. DreamWorks is probably going to take root on this Harvey Street forever."


    "No way!? Are you really going to stay in this dump?" Tom Boyd looked at me in surprise.


    "Yes, why are tears always in my eyes, because I love this land deeply. Although the people here are very poor and Harvey Street is very messy, I am used to it and don''t want to move," I grinned self-mockingly.


    The group of people kept making noise until dark. Lenny said that a new hotel had just opened next to the Imperial Hotel. The boss was Italian, and the spaghetti there was very delicious. He suggested that we go there to taste it.


    "Italians?" Lehmer glanced at me and said, "Mr. Colliano hates Italians the most. Is he willing to go?"


    "I also hate Italians!" Griffith shouted, "Men are all a bunch of carefree rascals, and women are either shrews or prostitutes. They will brag to you about how glorious the Roman Empire was, but they don''t know that those palaces in Rome, those emperors and nobles, were all degenerate and depraved zombies. Moreover, nearly half of the underworld in Los Angeles is now Italian. They call themselves ''Mafia.'' Listen to this name!" Griffith shook his head while speaking.


    Everyone burst into laughter and asked me to explain the reason for not liking Italians.


    I shrugged helplessly, "I can''t say either. Anyway, I don''t have a good impression of them. David has a certain point, but the name ''Mafia'' is not bad."


    Lenny didn''t care whether I liked it or not. He dragged me into the car and rushed to the First Street of Hollywood in the night.


    The Italian hotel Lenny mentioned was named "Roman Holiday," which was vulgar and evil. Standing in front of the door and looking at the store name, my stomach twisted: A good movie from later generations was ruined.


    Although the decoration in the hotel was not as luxurious as that of the Imperial Hotel, it had to be admitted that it had a unique charm. It was all designed in the style of ancient Rome, even the chairs and tables inside.


    We ordered the largest semi-hall and semi-terrace room. Lying on the huge, soft bed covered with Persian silk satin, we drank wine while watching groups of women by the fountain opposite.


    When Charlie Bara, John Cohn, and others looked at women, they evaluated them with a professional perspective, commenting that this woman could not be an actress, and that woman could at most only be a supporting role. Griffith and I got together to comment on women''s figures and faces, guessing the stories behind them, whether they had lovers, or whether they would cry alone at night.


    "Sternberg! Isn''t that Sternberg!?" Just as we were talking enthusiastically, Griffith pointed to a short man in the crowd and shouted.


    "Are you talking about the Sternberg who supported us in the newspaper?" As soon as I heard this name, I immediately jumped off the bed.