The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-10
Audiences Laugh More Charlie Chapns Original Antics Than at
New Scenic Effects Modern Times Coming Loews This Month
BY JOHN w. THOMPSON

Q y,
two diversified shoes and a trick UNI
brella-that's about all there was to
Charlie Chaplin and Co. when he
started his career in movies before
the World War.
And strangely enough, with all his
new scenic effects and modern con-
traptions, those simple things were
what the audience laughed most
heartily at during the premiere of
Modern Times" in New York last
Wednesday night. (Tickets were
$3.50 each)
There is a Homeric uncertainty
about the birthplace of Charlie
Chaplin But the blind poet is five
up on the little fellow. Seven cities
claimed the honor of being Homer's
birthplace while only two, Paris and
London, have claimed Charlie. But
then Homer has something like a
$500 year start on Mr.. Chaplin.
Charlie was born April Is, 1899 as
far as anybody knows. The Partisan
version has it that Mr. Chaplin first
saw the light of day at Fontain-
bleau, the son of a French panto-
mimic clown, and and English Jew
ess. Later, say the French, he sold
papers in Covent Garden.
A London paper said recently chat
Charlie was born in Halworth, that
his mother was Lily Harley, music
hall vocalist (now an invalid living
in Hove. His father, the report
contended, was Charles Chaplin,
well known singer of descriptive
songs. So take your choice.
1t seems that Charlie himself
would lean toward the latter con-
tention. At least he admits having
made his theatrical debut at the age
of six in London music hall, when
he was showed on to the stage at the
last minute to fill in for his moth
er who suddenly had taken i'll. He
sang a lifting song, Jack Jones'"
Played in Sherlock Holmes
After several years on music hall
stages, Mr.. Chaplin got his first le-
Ultimate role, Billy the page boy in
William Gillette'S Sherlock Holmes
Then he toured England playing
juvenile roles and doing limitations
of his favorite music hall per-
formers.
At this time, Sidney Chaplin,
Charles older brother, who already
had made good in a few pictures in
the United States introduced Charlie
to Fred Karno, q producer, who gave
Charlie variety of experience on
musical productions. In these he
toured this country for the first
time.
1t was not until his return to the
United States for a second series of
performances with Karno's troupe
that he made his first contact with
the movies. He was signed for pic
lures by Mack Sennett, who at that
time was setting new standards with
his pie-tossing comedies.
After playing secondary roles in
these comedies for some time,
Charlie rose to stardom and then
insisted upon directing his own pic
lures. Mr.. Sennett at first resent
ed this seeming usurpation of his
power, but later consented and since
that time Mr.. Chaplin has. directed
all his own films.
During the two years he was with
Sennett, Chaplin made II two-reel-
erS and one feature, Titles Pune
tured Romance" with Mabel Nor
mand as his leading lady
In 1915 he was associated with Es-
sanay, the producer, for whom he
made II two-reel comedies, and then
went with Mutual Films, Inc, for
whom he made 'Floorwalker," and
several others.
Joined First National in 1918
In 1918 Charlie joined the First
National ranks, made "A Dogs Life"
Shoulder Arms" and THE Kid"
which introduced Jackie Coogan to
the film world. The Pilgrim" also
was produced about that time.
Chaplin decided, in 1885 to dis
tribute his own pictures and chose
the United Artists company. He,
with Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pick
ford and D. w. Griffith had helped
organize this company in 1919.
From that time on he spaced his
pictures several years apart. He
made THE Gold Rush" THE Cir
Gus" and City Lights" in which he
surprised the industry by making a
tremendous success of silent movie
in the face of the sudden turn to
talkies.
About a month ago Mr.. Chaplin
attended an early morning business
conference at a Los Angeles hotel.
Word got around that the famous
comedian was there and when he
came out he was greeted by nearly
a thousand children between the
ages of six and 10. Most of them
were too young to have seen Chap
Inns last picture, City Lights"
which was released almost five years