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        We've had a simple thread going now for a while concerning

pre-recorded messages and their uses in films.  Most of the messages

have been about movies that use them, rather than their significance,

i.e. more of a list of movies, rather than a discussion.

        However, I have recently been reading an interesting film-

oriented book, "The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure For

Storytellers and Screenwriters" by Chris. Vogler.  In part two, he

discusses the use of the Herald in storytelling, and esp. in script-

writing.  Typically, the Herald archetype appears in Act One to

bring a challenge to the hero, or protoganist, or announces the

coming of significant change.  I think one example listed recently

is the message by Princess Leia to Ben Kenobi relayed via R2D2 and

accidently intercepted by Luke Skywalker (Star Wars).  Another

examply, in the textbook, is when a phone call arrives for Joan

Wilder from her sister, helping precipitate Wilder's wild

adventure in South America (Romancing The Stone).

        Often such a pre-recorded message is simply a means of

bringing news to the hero of a "new energy" that will change the

balance.  The telegram for Gary Cooper in "High Noon" that

announces his enemies are out of jail and headed to kill him is

another classic example cited in the book.

        I think it is interesting that such a device has become

and remains such an important part of the script, and essentially

seems to have been handed down as a device from the oldest

stories, like Greek tales and other mythic stories.

        Doug Simpson