Lessee..
Director: " I need another person walking in this scene.. find me a woman.. portly.."
Asst. Director: "All our extras are men.. with long sideburns!"
Director: "Well, dress them up and tell them to cover their sideburn with their hand"
Asst. Director: "How do you want them to cross?"
Director: "It's a silent movie, just talk to them while they're moving.. nobody'll hear it!"
....
Actor: "You want me to stop here?"
...
and so on..
My $.02