Answering machines Quote by Robert Benchley
![“[Reviewing the New York City Telephone Directory] But it is the opinion of the present reviewer that the weakness of plot is due to the great number of characters which clutter up the pages. The Russian school is responsible for this.” quote by Robert Benchley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/36e/robert-benchley-2562_answering-machines_reviewing-the-new-york-city-telephone-di_1763236.jpg)
“[Reviewing the New York City Telephone Directory] But it is the opinion of the present reviewer that the weakness of plot is due to the great number of characters which clutter up the pages. The Russian school is responsible for this.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Review of New York City Telephone Directory, 1930s
The reviewer blames a crowded cast of characters for a weak plot, attributing it to Russian literary influence.
In simple terms: Too many characters weaken the story, allegedly due to Russian style.
Key Takeaway
Simplify narratives by focusing on essential characters.
Themes
literature
plot
character overload
Mood
critical
humorous
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- editing
- storyboarding
Key Concepts
narrative structure
cultural influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance character depth with plot clarity?
- What cultural biases affect your storytelling?
A Different Perspective
Not all plot issues stem from character count; other factors matter.
![“[Answering the phone] Hello, this is a recording, you've dialed the right number, now hang up and don't do it again.” quote by Frank Sinatra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fec/frank-sinatra-2702_answering-machines_answering-the-phone-hello-this-is-a-reco_27542.jpg)
