The Great Dictator 1939 1940 next previous
The Great Dictator Clippings 270/369
New York Times, New York, January 5, 1941.
PRESENTATION. Darryl Zanuck, left, flanked by Charles E.
McCarthy, accepts the New York Critics Award for the
„Grapes of Wrath“ from Bosley Crowther of the Times, right,
at a Rainbow Room cocktail party. Not present was
Charles Chaplin, who refused the best actor award for „The
Great Dictator.“
(...) Cosmo Sileo Photo, Motion Picture Herald, Jan. 11, 1941
„May I nevertheless thank you for the compliment“
Editorial content. „CHAPLIN DECLINES
AWARD BY CRITICS
Chosen Best Actor for ,Great Dictator,‘ He Says Stars
Are Not in Competition
FIRST TO REFUSE HONOR
Miss Hepburn, Zanuck, Ford and Disney to Get Prizes
at Ceremonies Today
Charles Chaplin, the film star, who was designated a week
ago by the New York Film Critics as the best screen
actor of 1940 for his performance in The Great Dictator,
declined the award yesterday in a telegram to Bosley Crowther,
film critic of the New York Times and president of the
critics‘ organization.
Mr. Chaplin‘s declination was based on his belief that
the only aim of actors is to please the public and not
to compete with one another. If he were to accept the award,
he said, he would be acknowledging this competition,
,and such an approach to one‘s work is not very inspiring.‘
Mr. Chaplin took exception also to the alleged
manner in which the award was made. He characterized the
critics‘ methods as ,electioneering‘ and held that ,such
a procedure is, in my humble opinion, far afield from sound
critical appraisal.‘
Mr. Chaplin‘s reference to ,electioneering‘ concerns
the critics‘ method of balloting. Under the rules of
the organization a two-thirds majority of votes is necessary.
Twenty-three ballots were required at the election
at which Mr. Chaplin was named.
It was recalled that Mr. Chaplin was one of the original
members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences and in 1928 received its award for ,his versatility
and genius in writing, acting, directing and producing‘
his film The Circus. He joined the Academy in 1927 and
is still a member.“ (...)
„Chaplin‘s Telegram
The telegram sent by Mr. Chaplin follows:
,Dear Mr. Crowther:
,I hope you will pardon my delay in answering your
telegram in which you state that I have been given
an award for the best actor‘s work of 1940 by the Film Critics
of New York. For the last few days I have been in a
quandary as to how to reply to you and your colleagues
without embarrassment to any one, which, in all
sincerity, is the last thing I wish to do.
,In justice to myself and my fellow-actors, I cannot
accept your award, for in so doing I feel I would
be acknowledging the fact that actors are competing with
each other. And such an approach to one‘s work
is not very inspiring. In doing my work I aim only to please
the public, which, I believe, is the true aim of all
actors.
,If we succeed in doing that, I feel sure that we have
been amply rewarded. My feeling in this matter
is in no way a reflection on the merit of the New York Film
Critics, most of whose individual work I respect
and admire.
,However, when such representative critics designate the
quality and merit of a motion picture or a performance
by a process of electioneering, such a procedure is, in my
humble opinion, far afield from sound critical appraisal.
May I nevertheless thank you for the compliment.‘“
Redaktioneller Inhalt
The Great Dictator 1939 1940 next previous
