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The Great Dictator Clippings 307/369

INS, Pasadena Post, Pasadena, Cal., April 15, 1941.

PICTURED in Federal court, New York City, is author

Konrad Bercovici as his $5,000,000 suit opened against

Comedian Charlie Chaplin.

(...) Photo, INS, Dispatch, Moline, Illinois, April 22, 1947.

      INS, International News Service.

& Chaplin Sued Over „Dictator“

      NEW YORK, April 14 (U. P.). – Konrad Bercovici,

novelist and short story writer, filed suit for $5,000,000 damages

in Supreme Court today against Charles Chaplin and

United Artists Corp., alleging that he submitted the idea and

the original plot for the motion picture, „The Great

Dictator.“

      Charging Chaplin and the corporation with breach

of agreement and misappropriation of literary

material, Bercovici alleged in his complaint that on Jan. 8,

1937, he and the movie star agreed they would

collaborate in producing a series pf pictures.

      CLAIMS HITLER SATIRE

      Bercovici said he was to submit to Chaplin „certain

original ideas“ suitable for picture production,

and, on Chaplin‘s approval, develop them into original

scenarios. On March 15, 1938, the complaint

alleged, Bercovici originated a satire on Adolf Hitler and

dictatorship and on April 15, 1938, proposed that

Chaplin produce a picture based on the satire. It was

agreed, he charged, that he would develop the

idea, and that Chaplin would produce it.

      On April 19, 1938, Chaplin suddenly informed him,

Bercovici alleged, that for „political and other

reasons“ he did not believe it feasable to produce the

picture and did not intend to produce it.

      Then, the complaint alleged, Chaplin „unknown to the

plaintiff“ proceeded to produce „The Great Dictator,“

illegally and in violation of their agreement appropriating

the material of Bercovici‘s original satire.

(...) UP, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,

April 15, 1941.

      UP, United Press.

& Chaplin Praised Dictators,

      Says Writer at Trial (...)

      The complainant told the judge and jury that Chaplin

praised dictators during early discussions with

him in 1937.

      Bercovici, who did not give specific details relating

to the purported agreement, described numerous telegrams

he said he sent Chaplin and purported conversation

with him.

(...) AP, Citizen News, HollywoodLA, April 19, 1949.

      AP, Associated Press.

& Chaplin Settles

      Suit for $95,000 (...)

      Judge Burke said the stipulation of the settlement

provides, at Chaplin‘s insistence, that he „is the sole author“

of the dictator story.

(...) AP, Los Angeles Times, May 2, 1947.

      AP, Associated Press.

& CHAPLIN FOE GETS

      $95,000, DROPS SUIT

      NEW YORK – (INS) – Federal Judge Harold P. Burke

announced Thursday that writer Konrad Bercovici‘s

$6,450,000 plagiarism suit against Charlie Chaplin had been

settled for $95,000.

      Bercovici asserted that the Chaplin film, „The

Great Dictator,“ was outgrowth of suggestions he made

to the comedian.

      Bercovici‘s representatives at first suggested $500,000

as a settlement figure, Judge Burke said. When

Chaplin refused to consider any settlement in six figures,

agreement finally was reached late last night

on $95,000.

(...) INS, Star Tribune, Minneapolis, Minnesota,

May 2, 1947.

      INS, International News Service.

„He received neither cash nor credit for it“

Editorial content. „$ 5,000,000 SUIT

      AGAINST CHAPLIN

      NEW YORK, April 14. (INS) – Author Konrad Bercovici

today charged in a $5,000,000 suit that The Great

Dictator was his idea and that he received neither cash nor

credit for it.“ (...)

      INS, International News Service.

   

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