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The Great Dictator Clippings 308/369

AP, Los Angeles Times, L. A., Cal., April 15, 1941.

Offstage and Offscreen

      PREMIERE – Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Mrs.

Chaplin, the former Oona O‘Neill, arrive at a New

York theatre for the opening of „Monsieur Verdoux,“ his first film

since 1940.

(...) Photo, New York Times Magazine, April 20, 1947

& Chaplin Works Alone

      on Films, He Tells Court

      NEW YORK, April 30. (U.P.) – Movie Comedian Charlie

Chaplin, defendant in a $5,000,000 plagiarism suit,

took the stand in Federal Court today and said that ever

since he made his third two-reeler in the infancy

of the motion picture industry he has written his own stories

and directed his own films.

      That was shortly after he entered the movies in 1914,

working for the Keystone Company and Mack

Sennett, he testified. He said it was at that time he originated

his famed role of the little tramp.

      Chaplin testified in the suit brought by writer

Konrad Bercovici, who has charged the comedian plagiarized

a two-page outline into the film „The Great Dictator.“

      Chaplin said he had no collaborators on stories, with

the exception of two books – „Napoleon,“ purchased

in 1929, and „Regency,“ purchased in 1937. He said it took

two years to produce „The Great Dictator.“

(...) Citizen News, Hollywood, L. A., April 30, 1947.

      UP, United Press.

& Testifies Chaplin

      Wrote Own Script

      NEW YORK, April 26. (AP) – A deposition by Alfred Reeves,

vice-president of the Charles Chaplin Film corporation

since 1924, read into court records yesterday that the comedian

had „always written his own scripts.“

      The deposition, dated January 1, 1942, was read into

evidence at the trial of the $5,000,000 damage suit

brought by Writer Konrad Bercovici, who alleges Chaplin

plagiarized the story of „The Great Dictator.“ He also

alleges breach of a 1938 oral contract by which he said he was

to get 15 per cent of the gross profits of the film.

      Reeves said: „I took care of all contracts, salaries and

general business,“ adding that the actor discussed all contracts

with him.

      Another deposition by Daniel James, Hollywood director

and writer, stated that he had worked with Chaplin

on the script and that all the ideas incorporated in the film

were developed by the comedian.

(...) AP, Spokane Chronicle, Spokane, Wash., April 26, 1947.

      AP, Associated Press.

& Chaplin‘s Attorney

      Denies Agreement

      NEW YORK, April 18. (AP) – Charles Chaplin, the

British-born motion picture actor, never had a secret agreement

with Konrad Bercovici, a writer, for the two to collaborate

in writing the film, „The Great Dictator,“ Chaplin‘s attorney said

today in federal court. (...)

      Louis D. Froelick told Federal Judge Harold B.

Burke  and a jury, „I scoff at the contention of a secret

contract between Chaplin and Bercovici.“

      He added he would prove that Chaplin wrote the picture

himself and that Bercovici only submitted a two-page

document containing suggestions, but no plot and no continuity.

He said Chaplin rejected the suggestions.

      Froelick said Bercovici submitted a script to Paulette

Goddard, who then was Chaplin‘s wife, but that

Miss Goddard told Chaplin she didn‘t like the script, so the

actor never saw it.

(...)  AP, Spokane Chronicle, Spokane, Wash.,

April 18, 1947

     AP, Associated Press.

& Chaplin Scores Several

      Points in Bercovici Suit

      Three causes of action of Konrad Bercovici‘s action

against Charles Chaplin and United Artists Corp.

were dismissed yesterday (Tuesday) by Judge Alfred C.

Coxe in N. Y. federal court, who found them

repetitious.

(...) Variety, June 25, 1941  

& CHAPLIN‘S PRE-TRIAL

      EXAM OF BERCOVICI

      Charles Chaplin served notice Friday (22) that

he would take deposition before trial on Aug. 29 of Konrad

Bercovici, who is suing for $5,000,000. At the

same time Chaplin entered a general denial and asked

for a dismissal.

(...) Variety, Aug. 27, 1941


„A paperhanger or barber resembling Hitler“

Editorial content. „Writer Sues Charles Chaplin

      for $5,000,000 Over ,Dictator‘

      NEW YORK, April 14. (AP) – Konrad Bercovici, writer, filed

a $5,000,000 suit against Charles Chaplin in Supreme

Court today, charging the comedian-producer had used the

author‘s idea for the film, The Great Dictator,

without reimbursing him either by credit or payment.

      Bercovici stated in his complaint that on or about March 15,

1938, he originated for motion-picture production

a satire on Hitler and dictatorship, the substance of which

was:

      „A little nonentity of a paperhanger or barber resembling

Hitler by reason of his Chaplinesque moustache was

to be mistaken for Hitler under certain circumstances and

become the dictator of all Germany.“

      Bercovici also included in his suit an action to recover

money allegedly due him for writing scenarios entitled

The Haymarket Riot, and The Cry of the Wolf, which he said

were ordered by Chaplin for his wife, Paulette Goddard.

      The Cry of the Wolf, the complaint said, was based on a

theme wherein a girl an her lover met by prearranged

signal – the lover‘s imitation of a wolf‘s call.

      The girl, the complaint set forth, „finally hears the cry

of a real wolf, which she mistakes for the call of

her lover, and she is thereupon devoured by the wolves.“

      AP, Associated Press.


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