Chapter 379 New Movie "Roman Holiday"

Hardy's plane returned to Los Angeles, and Henry brought people to pick him up at the airport. Hardy did not go home but went directly to the HD security headquarters.

"Before I came here, I asked you to investigate the situation of 'Senator McKinsey'. What did you find out?" Hardy asked Henry.

Henry took out a stack of information.

"McKenzie was born in Wisconsin and is of Irish descent. In 1939, he ran for judge of the Wisconsin Seventh Circuit Court and became a judge there. He joined the Army during World War II and returned home in 1946. In November, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate."

"This McKinsey is not a Puritan. He drinks, gambles, and plays with women. He lost a lot of money speculating in futures last year. His reputation is not very good. However, he is very eloquent and good at public speaking. He has no scruples about lying and confusing right and wrong."

"Many MPs think he is a rogue MP and a political scoundrel."

"His situation this year was not good. He lost all his money and his political position was in jeopardy. In order to keep his position, he had other ideas. In February this year, he gave a speech in Parliament, saying that he had a list of 205 people who were suspected of collusion, which caused an uproar at the time."

"McKinsey's trick worked very well. Whenever someone attacked him or said something bad about him, he would say that the other person was a traitor. Later, those congressmen were unwilling to provoke him, and no one dared to accuse McCinsey."

"McKenzie discovered that this is actually a powerful weapon that is very useful. By using political correctness as a lever, they can gain a commanding position and use the same tactics against anyone who dares to challenge them."

"In order to expand his power, he applied to organize an investigation committee to investigate all the circumstances of the joint work, and the FBI also helped him."

Henry looked at the data and continued:

"The organizations and individuals being investigated by the McKinsey survey team include labor unions, publishing companies, universities, people who have worked in Soviet China, Russians and Chinese. Hollywood is also one of the hardest hit areas because they believe that Hollywood represents the forefront of American culture."

"In a recent speech by McKinsey, he specifically named the three major TV stations and various radio stations as targets for censorship, including ABC TV."

"We need to conduct an in-depth investigation of Hollywood directors and actors, including Chaplin, saying that his Modern Times, The Great Dictator, and Monsieur Vandoorne criticized capitalism and had a serious tendency."

"Now, under the influence of McKinsey doctrine, university sociology teachers must criticize the Soviet Union and Marx. The Cincinnati Reds baseball team was forced to change its name and even asked actors to sign a letter of loyalty."

Hardy understood.

This McKinsey is preparing to launch a campaign.

This guy is indeed a political gangster who uses the excuse of ideological confrontation to portray himself as a hedgehog and gain political benefits.

In fact, Hardy knew that McKinsey was just a pawn of some people and the one they loved to trouble the most.

As early as 1947, the United States established a "United States House Un-American Activities Committee" to specifically target situations such as Gong Suhong.

Later, the "Hollywood Ten" incident occurred, and a group of screenwriters and directors were arrested, tried and sentenced to prison.

Hadi originally had no intention of intervening in these matters, after all, this involves political system issues. But now someone wants to expand the scope of the attack indefinitely, and even threatens Hadi's interests, so he has to take action.

Whoever touches my interests will be my mortal enemy. This is the iron law of the business world.

Hardy said to Henry with a sullen face:

"Send the most capable forces to investigate this McKinsey. I want all his information, including all the dirty things he has done in the past and is doing now, economic deals, political deals, and all the dark things that dare not be exposed."

"We also need to investigate all the congressmen, businesses, and unions that McKinsey has attacked. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, and these people can be used when the time comes."

"Boss, why don't you just kill him?" Henry asked.

Hadi smiled coldly, "For a politician like this, his influence can only be completely eliminated if he is truly disgraced. Even if we want to get rid of him, we have to make him a disgrace first. By then, people will only applaud and will not ask why such a thing happened."

Henry thought the boss was very thoughtful.

......

After assigning Henry to investigate McKinsey, Hardy spent only one day in Los Angeles before heading to Washington the next day to meet with President Johnson.

President Johnson was very busy, but he still found time to meet with Hardy.

"Hadi, what's the matter that makes you so anxious to see me?" President Johnson asked Hadi when he saw him in the presidential office.

"I heard that Congress is preparing to implement a material blockade on Hong Kong?" Hadi asked directly.

"We do have such an idea, and Congress is currently reviewing it. The Peninsula War is tied up in the game between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Rabbit Country has already joined the war. We must impose stronger sanctions on them and not allow the Rabbit Country to obtain any supplies through Hong Kong," said Johnson.

Hardy held up his hands.

"I have no intention of interfering with government decisions and political trends. It's just that the Hadi Group has a lot of business in Hong Kong, and you know this. If the United States decides to impose material restrictions on Hong Kong, it will inevitably affect the interests of the Hadi Group."

Johnson frowned and fell into deep thought when he heard what Hardy said.

He naturally knew about Hadi's investment in Hong Kong. Chiang Kai-shek was in charge there at the beginning. Hadi had hundreds of factories in Hong Kong. Many of the material restrictions this time were related to the materials needed by the Hadi Group, which would indeed affect Hadi's business.

Hadi is his most staunch ally.

Johnson never doubted this; he could not do anything that would harm the interests of his allies.

But this is related to the US's strategic strategy.

It's not something that Johnson can decide alone.

There was some silence in the office. Johnson was in deep thought and Hardy remained silent.

After a while,

Johnson said: "Hadi, I have an idea. I am afraid that the restrictions imposed on Hong Kong and Macau cannot be changed."

"But I can give Hardy Group a franchise to make it the only importer and exporter of American products in Hong Kong, but Hardy Group must promise not to sell its products to rabbits. Do you think this is okay?"

Johnson said and looked at Hardy.

Hardy's eyes brightened as he listened to President Johnson's advice.

In fact, from the beginning to the end, the Hardy Group has never openly done business with rabbits. As for the smuggling, it has nothing to do with the Hardy Group.

The Hadi Group is clean.

If the US government grants the Hadi family special permission to obtain US supplies, it will actually be more beneficial to the Hadi Group.

Although the Hardy Group is now the largest company in Hong Kong, there are many other British companies and a number of Chinese companies. It is already very good for Hardy to account for 2 or 3 percent of all businesses in Hong Kong.

Many British-owned and Chinese-owned companies also need American supplies, but after the restrictions were put in place, their business in this area was cut off.

However, the Hardy Group has obtained a franchise and can continue to do so.

The market left behind by the withdrawal of other companies will inevitably be transferred to Hardy, which implicitly gives him privileges.

The privilege of some material monopoly.

In this way, the development of the Hardy Group in Hong Kong will be faster, which means it can make more money.

"I think this is a good idea. I can assure you that the Hadi Group will not do business with the Soviet Union. Our markets are mainly Hong Kong, Japan, Southeast Asia and the United States. As long as my business can operate normally, it's fine."

Hadi acts as if he only cares about himself and not politics.

After finishing this matter, Hardy said goodbye to Johnson and returned to Los Angeles. As for the matter of McKinsey, he had to wait for Henry to find out the results of the investigation.

As for McKinsey.

Hardy had no intention of telling Johnson.

He does not intend to take the political route in this matter, because the Cold War and the struggle between political camps are the general direction of national policy.

Hardy does this.

Not going to let any politician know.

If Hardy shows hostility and dislike towards McKinsey now, people will definitely think of him when something happens to this guy.

Hardy prepared to hide in the shadows.

Back in Los Angeles, Hardy called Monroe. When Monroe heard Hardy's voice, she immediately drove to the villa.

In the bedroom.

Hardy launched a ruthless attack on Monroe.

When in Hong Kong,

Han Ye-jin just gave birth to a child, so Hardy definitely can't do anything bad.

As for Sayuri.

She has a rather sensitive physique, and she has to try her best to serve Hardy every time, but it's actually not very satisfying for Hardy.

As for Ava, Elaine, Monroe and others, Hardy can let go without any scruples. Even Taylor is much better than Sayuri.

This is the difference between Eastern and Western physiques.

After the storm subsided, Monroe lay contentedly beside Hardy, who asked, "Is the movie edited? When will it be released?"

Hardy was asking about Monroe's movie "Some Like It Hot", which had just been filmed when he came last time and was in the final stages of editing.

"The editing has been completed and a screening has been held. Everyone is very optimistic about this film, and the film company is arranging the screening." Meng Lu said.

"After the screening of Some Like It Hot is over, have the company prepare to shoot your second movie," said Hardy.

Menglu turned over in surprise, looked at Hadi excitedly and said, "You mean the 'seven-year itch'?"

"Yes, it's October now. After the screening of Some Like It Hot is over, it will probably be December, and we can start preparing for the new movie. That movie is a summer movie, so we can use this period of time to do the preparation work and finish shooting in one go in the summer," said Hardy.

Of course Monroe was happy, she now loved performing more and more.

Of course,

Singing is also her favorite.

the next day.

Hardy came to the film studio to meet Edward.

Now Hardy's business is getting bigger and bigger, and he has more and more things to do. He rarely pays attention to the affairs of the film company alone. But this time he came in person.

"How are other film companies doing recently? Have they been greatly affected?" Hardy was of course asking about the McKinsey investigation committee.

Edward nodded.

He said this with a heavy tone.

"The impact on Hollywood is actually very big. They want to review all movies, including old ones. You know those screenwriters and directors were sent to prison by them. Now everyone is in danger. A few days ago, the investigation committee also said that they have a list of all the performing artists who have been imprisoned. This has made many people scared, fearing that the bad luck will befall them."

"Coupled with the impact of the Paramount Decree on film companies, the number of films scheduled by major film companies has been greatly reduced."

"Our Hardy Group has always produced very few films, only two or three a year. This year it was Miss Monroe's Some Like It Hot and Eastwood's Raiders of the Lost Ark, nothing else."

"But other film companies usually shoot dozens or even 30 or 40 films in previous years. If Warner, Paramount, and MGM don't have this much screening capacity, they will lose a lot of money. But this year, these companies have only produced single-digit films, so they are destined to lose money this year."

Hardy nodded.

He had foreseen this situation, but he didn't expect it to be far more serious than he thought.

The lack of movies to be made not only affects the profits of film companies, but also affects tens of thousands of practitioners in Hollywood, including actors, screenwriters, directors, lighting, production staff, and even film equipment rental companies, film producers, etc.

This chain will be affected.

They naturally can't make money without making movies.

"Edward, after Monroe's Some Like It Hot is released, arrange for her to play my second script, The Seven Year Itch."

Edward nodded and smiled, "Mr. Hardy, we held a screening of Miss Monroe's Some Like It Hot, and the result was very good. Everyone agreed that this year's movie might become the annual box office champion."

"and."

"We are openly collecting scripts to find roles for Ava and Taylor, and we will also give them a spot in a movie this year."

"Okay boss."

Hardy thought of another person and asked, "By the way, how is Audrey Hepburn now?"

"Hepburn? Since she came to the company, the company has arranged acting classes, vocal classes, costume classes, etiquette classes, etc. for her. She also plays supporting roles. Recently, MGM has a costume drama "Downton Abbey", in which she plays the third female lead. The effect is very good. This is already the third movie she has participated in."

Hardy nodded.

It seems that Hepburn has basically honed her skills and it is time to shoot "Roman Holiday".

"Edward, start preparing the crew for "Roman Holiday". This drama will also start filming next year." Hardy said.

Edward did some calculations in his mind.

There's one for Monroe, one for Ava and one for Taylor, and now there's one for Hepburn, which makes this the fourth movie.

For Hardy Films, this is already considered a high productivity.

"Boss, where are you going to shoot this "Roman Holiday"? In a studio? A studio can save money." Edward said.

Hardy shook his head.

"No, we have to shoot directly in Rome, and it has to have authentic Roman style," said Hardy.

Edward thought that if the film was shot in Rome, the budget would have to increase significantly, but since his boss had said so, he naturally did not dare to object.

"Edward, arrange for Audrey Hepburn to go to Rome, but don't tell her that you are going to film a movie, and don't give her the script. The story is in my mind, and I know it best. When the time comes, I will go there and walk her through the plot of Roman Holiday, so that she will remember it more deeply."

"I'll take care of it, boss." Edward said with a smile.

There aren't so many coincidences in life.

Many of them have been planned for a long time.

......

When the staff found Audrey Hepburn and informed her that a play was being filmed in Rome and she could get a role in it, Hepburn was very happy.

"What kind of movie is it?"

"What role am I?"

Hepburn asked the staff, who shook their heads and said, "I don't know either. I'm just telling you that you're going to Rome soon, and there will be arrangements once you get there."

Hepburn nodded.

"Okay, I'll prepare it right away." After saying goodbye to the staff, he trotted away with his book in his arms, like a happy little deer.