The Good Job (1942)

William Saroyan wrote the Oscar®-winning screenplay of The Human Comedy (1943), and wanted to direct and produce the film himself as well. Louis B. Mayer tentatively agreed and suggested that Saroyan first direct a short film so that he could learn the fundamental techniques of movie making. Saroyan told Mayer that if he was given just three days and technical support he would write, produce, and direct a film. Mayer agreed, and three days later Saroyan brought in a two reel, twenty minute film called The Good Job, based on his story "A Number of Poor" of 1939. The film was appreciated by Mayer and others at MGM and was ultimately released as an "MGM Miniature". It has the distinction of being the first film in the United States in which Armenian was spoken.