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Monta Bell, Film Daily, New York, June 22, 1924.

Monta Bell‘s first real picture work was the scenario

of „A Woman of Paris“ then he was ready to direct

(...) Photo, Photoplay, July 1925

& He Got What He Wanted

      Monta Bell has directed only four pictures –

      but they‘re fighting for his services

      By Forrest Winship

(...) Photoplay, July 1925, Part I

& Critical Paragraphs About New Productions

      How to Educate a Wife

      Monta Bell, a graduate of the Chaplin School of Suggestion,

whose first opus, Broadway After Dark, met with favorable

response, now turns his attention to one of Elinor Glyn‘s stories.

The title is typical of Madame Glyn. She loves to trespass

upon the domains of the sob sisters. But don‘t take it from this

that the picture is an animated lecture on a subject

pertinent to matrimony.

      There is nothing ,sobby‘ about it.

(…) Motion Picture, Oct. 1924

„The basis of Chaplin‘s success is sincerity“

Editorial content. „The Public Knows Sincerity

      By Monta Bell

      The public, meaning all who attend theaters, and that

includes practically everyone between the ages of four and one

hundred, recognizes sincerity. For that reason anyone

connected with motion picture making or any other amusement

or business that is catering to the public should be sincere

with him or her self.

      My association with Charles Chaplin while he was directing

A Woman of Paris and before and after its completion

is the most highly prized and memorable of any of my short life.

One of the most valuable things I learned from Mr.

Chaplin was to avoid movie tradition. He has done this more

successfully than any other director. One of the

greatest handicaps of the screen is that too many producers,

directors and actors refuse to get away from cinema

convention. Too many stories are filmed the way they have

been done since the first motion picture was made.

      One of the outstanding beliefs set up for motion picture

makers is the theory that the intelligence of the average

person is equal only to that of a child of twelve years of age.

The may or may not be true. If it is true the mind

of a child of twelve is equally as alert as that of a man

or woman of sixty years and is more open to

recognize sincerity than that of the so-called intellectual

person. The child may not be able to tell why –

but it will feel and ,get‘ your message, provided you are

on the level with yourself in the telling. And, too,

a director cannot go far wrong if he retains simplicity.

Aren‘t all great things simple?

      The ,highbrows‘ seldom discover sincerity, ability

or genius until the rest of the world knows it. This is clearly

demonstrated in the case of Charles Chaplin.

Children first acclaimed and recognized him as a great genius.

They could not tell why but they appreciated him

and in turn persuaded their parents to see him. Years later

intellectual magazines proclaimed Chaplin as one

of the greatest artists of all times. The intellectuals are

improving – they usually wait until a man is dead.

      The basis of Chaplin‘s success is sincerity. He is guided

by his own convictions – is honest to himself.“

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