There is one scene in Remember the Day that does not so much advance the plot as attest to Claudette’s artistic ability. Nora has developed a close rapport with the student who will grow up to run for president. Since the boy is obsessed with sailing, Nora demonstrates her knowledge of ships by illustrating on a chalkboard the difference between a barque and a brig. With another actress, King might have to cut from Nora at the chalkboard to a shot of a hand - sketching the ships with a piece of chalk - that would be added in post production. With Claudette, King did not have to cut. The camera stayed on Claudette, who handles the chalk as if she were a trained artist (which she was), sketching the ships as she describes its features, timing her comparison so that it ends with the last stroke of the chalk.
- Claudette Colbert: She Walked in Beauty
(via shipsshipships)
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