The Great Dictator 1940 1941 next previous
The Great Dictator Clippings 21/369
Motion Picture Herald, New York, December 31, 1938.
Just after the end of the World War, in the spring of 1918,
Charles and Syd Chaplin posed for this shot as they
broke ground for the Chaplin studio at La Brea and De Longpre Avenues in Hollywood. Now, 20 years later, Chaplin
resumes production activity on a satirical take-off on the
war-lords who are heading Europe into another
mad chaos.
(...) Photo, International Photographer, Los Angeles, Sept. 1939
& Syd Chaplin Aiding
Prod. of „Dictators“ (...)
Absent from Hollywood film work for 12 years, Syd
Chaplin is back co-directing with his brother, Charles, on „The Dictators.“ Syd handles the scenes while Charlie is acting.
(...) Variety, Oct. 4, 1939
& Chaplin Plans Again
to Enter UA Production (...)
United Artists‘ largest release schedule in recent
years is indicated for next season with definite commitments
from Charles Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks,
in addition to the product from the company‘s present
producers.
Chaplin will make one picture and Fairbanks two
or three, the exact number from the latter not having been
determined yet.
(...) Motion Picture Daily, Nov. 21, 1938
& Lunched with Charlie Chaplin at his villa atop a Beverly
hill. Afterward we lounged around his oval shaped
Mediterranean blue swimming pool and trashed out the
affairs of the world and Hollywood. His beautifully
trained Oriental servants glided silently about. Charlie told
me his secret in handling his staff was to pick out
good men, pay them well and leave them alone. We were
alone and Charlie spoke freely. He believes that
Hitler and Mussolini are the two greatest bluffers in modern
history, but that for this reason war in Europe
is improbable for 15 years. For, whoever starts it will
be destroyed in its maelstrom. This is one reason
he said that even the dictators have learned fro the World
war. They will go just as far as they can and
no further.
* * *
Chaplin is busy with his new picture. He told about
it in detail. When he was explaining the funny
sequences he pranced up and down beside the pool,
gesturing in his inimitable manner. It is easy
to understand why he is considered the world‘s greatest
genius in the art of pantomime. The new picture
will be a wow, take it from me. Charlie is very sore at the
international highbinder who stole his mustache
and he‘s going to get back at him regardless of censorship,
propaganda, diplomacy or financial consideration!
Incidentally Charlie said he can afford to let the chips fall
where they may. He has a few Government bonds
tucked away which will assure him that, no matter what
happens. From now on when he makes pictures
he is going to make them the way he wants to, and not
the way a dozen other people think he should.
Charlie is a rare spirit, a real intellectual. His sincerity,
enthusiasm and vigorous mind are outstanding.
His charm of manner should endear him to all but the
most stony hearted. He surprised me by saying
he never knew what to do at a cocktail or general party.
Despite 25 years‘ experience in this common
garden variety of party, he is always embarrassed. Like
a lot of us, he is continually at a loss as to what
to say, how long to talk to one person, how to avoid people
he doesn‘t want to talk to. More surprisingly, he said,
when he meets anybody he likes very much he is absolutely
stunned and can‘t talk at all; stutters and stammers
and puts his worst foot forward. And with people he doesn‘t
care much about Charlie said he often could „put
on the dog“ and make quite an impression.
(...) Going Places By Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr., Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Nov. 30, 1938
& Satire by Chaplin
The most interesting evening of the week was spent
at the home of Rob Wagner, Hollywood‘s veteran
movie critic, magazine writer and publisher. Mr. Wagner
is a white-haired old gentleman who has been
living here for forty years – long before a movie camera
turned in California.
He had a lot of interesting observations to make
to make on Hollywood but his most engrossing
anecdotes were about Charlie Chaplin. He is Chaplin‘s
oldest and most trusted friend.
Mr. Wagner corroborated the fact that Charlie will
begin production on „The Dictator“ immediately
after the New Year. The sets are being built now. The story,
as Mr. Wagner tells it, is one that will make motion
picture history. Chaplin will play the part of a persecuted
nobody in a totalitarian country. He suddenly
finds himself mistaken for the dictator and the events that
follow are planned to make a good-natured satire
on the political setup in certain European countries. It is the
most ambitious production Chaplin has ever
attempted.
There is no telling when the picture will be completed.
Chaplin makes his own pictures, has to conform
to no schedule and stays with the picture until it is completed
to his full satisfaction.
(...) Lights and Shadows (...) in Hollywood By L. S. B. Shapiro,
Gazette, Montreal, Canada, Dec. 31, 1938
& SYDNEY CHAPLIN has arrived in Hollywood from
abroad to assist in the production of CHARLIE CHAPLIN‘S
new picture, „The Dictator.“
(...) Motion Picture Daily, Jan. 23, 1939
„A state with which the United States is at peace“
Editorial content. „Nazis Charge ,Plot‘
in Charlie Chaplin Film
The Hamburger Fremdenblatt, in Germany, made the
assertion this week that Harold L. Ickes, American
Secretary of the Interior, has conspired with Charlie Chaplin
to spread propaganda against Germany, according
to a United Press dispatch.
The newspaper asserted that Secretary Ickes had
,commissioned‘ Chaplin to make a motion picture
denouncing dictators, and said this was ,propaganda against
a state with which the United States is at peace.‘
Charlie Chaplin is now preparing his next feature picture,
to be called The Dictator, for United Artists release,
in which Mr. Chaplin will talk for the first time in films.“
Redaktioneller Inhalt
The Great Dictator 1940 1941 next previous
