The Great Dictator (United Artists) (1940)

Chaplin Becomes “The Great Dictator” In The Funniest Comedy Of His Career How One Man Is a Studio By Himself “The Great Dictator” is the title of Charlie Chaplin’s latest comedy, but the title might well be applied Ao the man, himself. For Chaplin is all things and everything to all of his pictures. He is producer, author, star, com- , poser, designer, supervisor, editor and two or twenty other things. Finally, he produces his pictures in his own studio with his own money. From the inception of the origi¬ nal idea, through the writing, film¬ ing, cutting and final scoring of the picture, it’s all Chaplin. True, he has expert technicians and an able staff, but that’s the way the most famous comedian in the world works. ^ Comedy is serious business to Charlie Chaplin. It is something of an understatement to say that it’s a big business when it is realized that Chaplin spent $2,000,000 to make “The Great Dictator,” which is slated for its premiere at the . Theatre on. Very few men approach their jobs with the enthusiasm that Charlie does—or with the patience. For months he will mull over an idea. Then comes the day that he starts making longhand notes on the big yellow pads that constantly surround him. Soon a secretary is called in and Charlie really goes to work. No Attention to Time ffe arrives at the studio promptly each morning at nine. Other than that, he pays no attention to time. The actual putting of the story on paper is usually a matter of months. He plans his “business” and “gags” down to the minutest detail before they are incorporated into the script. When the scenario is nearly complete, an art director is called in. Chaplin makes the rough sketches himself and per- ’■ sonally supervises the building of the sets. On the set, although Charlie has assistants, he directs each actor, as well as himself. As a matter of fact, Chaplin is the only big star who has successfully directed him¬ self. As the picture progresses, Char¬ lie visits the cutting room at the completion of each sequence. Here he carefully examines every foot of film and assembles it with the aid of his cutter. When the picture is ready for scoring, another Chap¬ lin talent is revealed; for Charlie writes the major part of the music. Yes, Charlie Chaplin IS “The Great Dictator,” but surely a be¬ nevolent one and certainly the most Charlie Chaplin, the world’s greatest comedian. 15A —One Col. Head (Mat .15; Cut .25) CHARLES CHAPLIN With Paulette Goddard in THE GREAT DICTATOR" Written and Directed by CHARLES CHAPLIN Released through United Artists THE CAST People of the Palace Hynkel, Dictator of Tomania.Charles Chaplin Napaloni, Dictator of Bacteria.Jack Oakie Schultz ..Reginald Gardiner Garbitsch .Henry Daniell Herring.Billy Gilbert Madame Napaloni.Grace Hayle Bacterian Ambassador.Carter de Haven People of the Ghetto A Jewish Barber Hannah . Mr. Jaeckel . . . Mrs. Jaeckel . . Mr. Mann. Mr. Agar. . . . Charles Chaplin . Paulette Goddard Maurice Moscovich .Emma Dunn . . . Bernard Gorcev .Paul Weigel TECHNICAL STAFF SHORTS AUTOGRAPHS Paulette Goddard, the radiantly beautiful actress who is appearing as leading lady opposite Charlie Chaplin in his latest comedy, “The Great Dictator,” at the . Theatre, has a hobby of collecting autographs of world-famous authors. In her library, she has personally inscribed books from John Steinbeck, Will Durant, H. G. Wells, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Max Miller and Sinclair Lewis. FAME * A life-sized portrait of Maurice Moscovich who plays the prominent role of “Mr. Jaeckel” in Charlie Chaplin’s latest comedy, “The Great Dictator,” which is due for its premiere at the. Thea¬ tre on ., hangs in the Na¬ tional Museum in Holland. The picture presents Mr. Moscovich in his famous role of “Shylock.” • GHETTO SCENE The first scenes shot in the new¬ est Charlie Chaplin comedy, “The Great Dictator,” coming on . to the . Theatre, were on a Ghetto Street. Crowds of people sweltered in the heat of Califor¬ nia’s hottest day in six years for this scene until Charlie came out on the set and ordered dance music. The torrid atmosphere was for¬ gotten as groups got to their feet and went into a dance, led by the inimitable Charlie himself. Musical Direction Assistant Directors Directors of Photography Art Director Film Editor Sound . .Meredith Willson .Dan James Wheeler Dryden Bob Meltzer Karl Struss A. S. C. Roland Totheroh O.A.T.S.E. Russell Spencer Willard Nico SWEATERS In spite of the fact that she ap¬ peared in practically every scene each day she worked, Paulette God¬ dard, Charlie Chaplin’s lovely lead¬ ing lady in “The Great Dictator,” now at the.Theatre, man¬ aged to knit a sweater for both herself and Charlie, as well as several for friends, during her run on the picture. J. Percy Townsend Glenn Rominger Paulette Glad To “Be Home” On Chaplin Lot What is Paulette Goddard really like? So many people ask that ques¬ tion for the simple reason that Paulette to interviewers presents somewhat of an enigma. And that merely because she doesn’t choose to discuss her personal life and problems. The first thing that impresses one about Paulette is her directness, simplicity and downright honesty. Her first words when she came back to the Chaplin studio to ap¬ pear as Charlie’s leading lady in “The Great Dictator,” were, “Gosh, but it’s nice to be home again.” And she meant it. For success has turned her head not a whit. Off the screen Paulette prefers sports clothes and slacks, and with that fresh-scrubbed look that every¬ one comments on, she appears not a day over eighteen. She wears very little make-up, and her skin is a rich, golden tan, for Paulette is a devotee of the outdoors, ex¬ celling in golf, tennis, skiing, skat¬ ing, horseback riding and swim¬ ming. Paulette Is Witty She has no so-called “small talk.” Extremely intelligent with a ready wit, everything she says means something. On the set between scenes, as a rule, she prefers to sit off to the side, either knitting or reading. But that doesn’t mean she’s in any way superior. As a matter of fact, during the making of “The Great Dictator,” which is slated for its premiere at the.Thea¬ tre on , Paulette in¬ augurated a golf team, sponsoring and playing in two tournaments in which everyone at the studio from electricians, prop men, “grips,” actors and technicians participated. Paulette Goddard in “The Great Dictator,” 12 A—One Col. Head (Mat .15; Cut .25) Unlike most stars, she has no dressing room on the set—merely a make-up table with the conven¬ tional lights and chair. She re¬ quires no waiting on, and her maid is more often than not conspicuous by her absence. Rather than craving attention, she utterly dislikes flattery or un¬ due attentions. Paulette wants to be liked for herself—not for the star billing she rates. Anyone who has seen Paulette before the cameras is inevitably moved to admiration for her quick understanding, her patience and her wonderful sense of humor. Page Nineteen