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UP, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, Calif., Sept. 17, 1941.

President Roosevelt speaking last night.

(...) Associated Press Wirephoto, New York Times,

Sept. 12, 1941

& SUBPOENA To Appear BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE

      Investigating Motion Picture Propaganda

      Charlie Chaplin:

      NOW WHAT COULD I POSSIBLY TELL THOSE

      PAST-MASTERS ABOUT COMEDY?

ROOSEVELT LIKED THIS CARTOON

      This is the cartoon published by the Washington Star, which received the indorsement of President Roosevelt yesterday,

when he indicated his disapproval of the current Senate inquiry

into Hollywood movie „propaganda,“ and denied bringing

pressure for pro-war films.

(...) Cartoon, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania, Sept. 17, 1941

„That fake story about Samaritan dangerous“

Editorial content. „President Hits

      Film Inquiry

      Roosevelt Denies Pressure Used

      to Get Propaganda Pictures

      WASHINGTON, Sept. 16. (U.P.) – President Roosevelt

today said that neither he nor, to his knowledge, any

of his subordinates in the government, has brought pressure

on the motion-picture industry for production

of propaganda films.

      He made clear to his press conference that he has little

sympathy with the current investigation by a Senate

Interstate Commerce subcommittee into alleged propaganda

films. The subcommittee yesterday was told that

a Loew‘s, Inc. official claimed Federal officials were exceedingly desirous that the film The Land of Liberty be shown.

      CARTOON ON CHAPLIN

      Mr. Roosevelt recommended to the reporters a cartoon

published in the Washington Star today. It depicted

Charlie Chaplin – who is to testify later – with a Senate

committee subpoena in his hand and commenting:

      ,Now what could I possibly tell those past masters

about comedy?‘

      Chaplin‘s comedy, The Dictator, has been criticized before

the committee as a propaganda picture.

      TELEGRAM READ

      The President then read this telegram, which he said was

sent to an unidentified Senator on Sept. 10.

      ,Have just been reading book called Holy Bible. Has

large circulation in this country. Written entirely by

foreign-born, mostly Jews. First part full of war-mongering

propaganda. Second part condemns isolationism.

That fake story about Samaritan dangerous. Should be added

to your list and suppressed.‘

      He implied that the telegram expresses approximately

his attitude toward the subcommittee‘s film inquiry.

      The discussion opened when a reporter reminded Mr.

Roosevelt that he was known as a movie fan and

asked whether he had noticed any propaganda in recent

pictures. The President said he had not.

      PRESSURE DENIED

      Then he was asked about charges that the government

had brought pressure on the film industry for production

of propaganda pictures. The government, he replied, is a broad

word. But he added that the head of the government

certainly has not brought such pressure.“ (...)   

      UP, United Press.

    

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