The L'Anse sentinel., 1916-03-25
CHAPTER VII.


CHAPTER VII.
Chaplin's idea 10 that one Of the old-styIe
rough comedies gives absolutely no chance
for real effects. When the paperhanger
has spilled paste down the back OF the
dude and somebody has been pushed on
into the lake, the comedy hvs been ex-
hausted. Plays like vrhe Tramp" open
up all kinds Of chances for contrasts
lights and shade. He does many tnlnes
now because he believes 'the public wants
them so'-and for no other reason.
Chaplin also believes that scenarios y whl
Birth Of a Nation He saw that play
nearly every week during its long run 10
Z, Los Angeles His idea II that comedies
! win also come to the point where one
ssrtainment. men .Tiilie's " Punctured ao-
nance" be believes mn example of this ten
dency.
He has two reasons for wanting to put
ON longer plays. One 10 that it Will give
more time in which to carefully work Out
his effects. The greatest reason.is that he
can produce the same financial returns
without appearing 80 often.
Chaplin is of the opinion that II is tax
ing an awful chance with his popularity TO
be shown in a new comedy every week or
80. We see Maude Adams at long inter.
vals--once year. perhaps, and we are
eager to zee her. But would we be 70
keen If we could see her in four. or hve
different plays the same night IN the same
town? tA
AS Chaplin says. this is terrific test Of
popularity.
King Charlie.
In the meantime, however, his popular.
ity continues to increase to veritabie
craze. When Charlie Chaplin goes to-
summer resort near Los Angeles, it is like
the triumphant visit Of king.
1t is an open secret that Chaplin doesn't
expect to be in the pictures long.
he says. "Then, in few years, am go.
ing to quit. am going to pass along and
let some other fellow have the center oil
the stage. have made bigger hit than
] ever thought possible in my widest
dreams. And am much obliged to every.
one for laughing. For the public is the
entertainers court of last appeal.
That Charlie Chaplin is a born actor,
entertainer, clown and buffoon. not only
while posing before the camera, but from
the time he rises in the morning till he
goes to sleep at night-generally late at
nights the sum of the opinion OF his
colleagues at Niles, with whom he worked
for months. Some Of these actors and
do not speak very highly Of Chapiin's
,'art," yet all Of them recognize that
there is some sort Of mad genius in the
little chap who has made the whole coun-
try laugh at his antics. AS for Chaplin
himself, he stoutly contends that it takes
as much conscientious preparation for q
comedy as for the so-called higher art.
Selecting His Partner.
Now for few instances to prove the
above verdict Of his colleagues:
.s~ he he Eccon Nv
company decided that Chaplin ought to
have madcap partner of the opposite sex
to hurl through his dizzy series of utter.
" illogical exploits. Chaplin and his man.
IRers had the whole field of musical com.
edy, comic opera, comic dramas and bur
Asque. The golden megaphcne c. the Es-
tsanay company could SUMMON any one CT
thousand or two Of sprightly young womcn
petted 10 publio-and funny!
Lets Just put an I'D IN the paper"
suecested Chaplin, scratching his curly
rclL, Lets get conc new blood in the
game" ),
The following morning there wus
small personal advertisement in one OF the
San francisco papers, offering position
In the movies" to young girl without
previous stage experience. During the
next week OF. two, Chaplin looked oyer
more tnan tnouAIu iair rSppnuan.s, ~ s..s. ns
cat was out OF tne Gag. Inc stage-suuck
young women OF Sah Francisco knew tha.
chaplin was LOOKING ior eI. 20 pay
against him' ana tne eompeu''0n Deca"e
hystericai. ,.r
Chaplin, unaided, selected one. Miss
Edna Purviance, who did not know even
the, alphabet Of the stage business.
She has made good. She has appeared
4 n I.~~ oH~ -
IN number OF reels with CnaP@Iln, PIT onerins
snr,s IN eASs Seartaches % At NiIes. but The worS
Of the new film actress convinced both
knsw somethinf aDout stS 1ne.snow oas,neso nnn =
'vm;ieies is ~ 80