Hollywood Movies: Dialogue Speed

How to measure degree of speed in dialogu

American movies may be the fastest in the world, esp. after the sound era.

Examples: Capra, Hawks (His Girl Friday)

Dialogue is delivered 30-40 percent faster than the normal

It indicates breathless sense of urgency

It differs from genre to genre.

The fastest is in crime gangster (Cagney) ad screwball comedies.

George Cukor used to chide his actors for being too greedy, always says, “pick up the clip, pick up the clip.” (Candice Bergen, “Rich and Famous”)

Source: Giannetti, p. 209

 

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