The Great Dictator 1939 1940 next previous
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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The Great Dictator 1939 1940 next previous