The Floorwalker Clippings 29/84
Chicago Tribune, Chicago, March 11, 1916
„This year has a large inspiration“
Editorial content. „FLICKERINGS from FILM LAND“
Ten photos. „The Chaplin Brothers – Syd and Charles“
„How He‘s Going to Earn That $670,000
BY KITTY KELLY.
SIX hundred and seventy thousand dollars speaks through
the person of Mr. Charles Chaplin, unselfconsciously,
though the stared at of scores in the Hotel Sherman lobby, and
deprecatingly, for, as he says, ,It‘s got to be earned,
you know.‘
What the person who commands the country‘s favor and
$670,000 says is that: ,One can be just as artistic
in shoes that flap as in a dress suit. It isn‘t how one is dressed,
but what one does and how. Slapstick comedy has
as much artistics possibility as the best tailored efforts from
the stage.‘
–
Charlie and Brother Syd and Manager Caulfield are
stopping off for two days on their way westwards
and workwards. Brother Syd has been so busy managing
Charlie‘s affairs that he has had no time for his own,
so he has as yet made no deal for himself, though it is probable
that he will go with the Mutual. The two brothers will,
however, have heir independent companies.
Chaplin‘s company will number about fourteen Miss Edna
Purviance continuing as leading woman, and for a type
the tall Miss Charlotte Mineau, who held up the totteringpillars
in his first Essnay picture, His New Job.
–
,This year has a large inspiration,‘ remarked the comedian,
mentally winking at the large remuneration which
is supplying the I. I. ,I‘m going to make better pictures than
I did last. I am doing my own scenarios and my own
directing. We‘re to have a little bit more legitimate plots. I like
a little story, with maybe an idea in it, not too much,
not to teach anything, but some effect, like in The Bank, for
instance. I think Police (to be released in a few weeks
by Essanay) is the best thing I‘ve ever done. One must consider
the kiddies, not to go over their heads, and remember
the grownups, too.‘
–
The question of considering the censors was broached,
whereat Charlie flushed a trifle and said, ,O, yes,
we‘ve been doing that in our later pictures, you know,‘ which
gives hope of a continuing régime of aseptic comedy.
Somebody mentioned ,stock market‘ in connection with
that $670,000. ,Never,‘ said Charlie. ,My money
is too hard to earn. If it doesn‘t cost anything else, it costs
here,‘ and he tapped his head.
,Yes, Charlie has gotten a headful of grey hairs since
he has been in the picture game,‘ interpolated
the watchful, smiling Syd, who took charge of the various
letter which bell boys, with sweeping bows and
grins, were continually presenting the comedy king.
Chaplin is a quiet, modest sort, ruddy
checked as a schoolboy, well spoken, with an English accent,
enjoying talk, laughing easily, preserving himself
unconscious of the throngs of starers, who grouped themselves
about the Chaplin party wherever it moved.
–
There probably will be variety in the comedy makeup
during the coming year. ,I‘ll keep the mustache,‘
he promised, ,but won‘t stick to closely to the other clothes.
I‘ll depend on what the circumstances demand.
And it doesn‘t matter what one is funny in so one is funny.
That‘s why I can‘t take things too seriously. This
salary is just figures, figures to me. It doesn‘t mean anything.
It I took things seriously I couldn‘t make pictures.
,Some time, when they don‘t care about me in pictures
any more, and I hope I know it in time before it
happens,‘ – then to his surprised auditors. ,O, yes, some time
that will happen. It won‘t be my fault; it will be the
public‘s. It will get tired of se-eing the same figure, you know.
Well, then I hope to accomplish something bigger.
Not that pictures aren‘t big, but I want to work on the stage
a little, to feel my audience.‘
An apple cheeked small boy, propelled by his father,
stuck his hand out shyly to the comedian. ,Why,
I‘ve seen you in pichers,‘ he exclaimed in childhood‘s solemn
amazement. Chaplin chatted with him, then turned
to us. ,That‘s part of my $670,000,‘ he said, ,and it‘s the best
kind of appreciation; it‘s sincere.‘
Last night he was guest of honor at a banquet at the
Hotel Sherman.“
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