NEW CHAPLIN FILM

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 June 1935, Page 10

NEW CHAPLIN FILM

OWN MONEY INVESTED DETAILS OF PRODUCTION Ijome interesting facts about Charles Chaplin’s new picture long surrounded with mystery as “Production No. d,” but actually to be known as. “The Masses,” have been released. It will be one of the most costly pictures made since the depression—the most lavish, indeed, that even Mr Chaplin has made, lio is said to have invested more than £2OO,UUU of his own money in it, which is unprecedented lor an actor—and probably for a producer. Since liis silent technique still gives him a world market, he has little fear of not getting his money back, with interest. In recent years Mr Chaplin lias taken to economics and a mild form of Socialism. This is reflected in the film, which is to be a. satire oil the machine age and its politics. We see a huge factory with hundreds of workers performing minute specialised operations. Charlie’s job, standing before ail endless chain, is to screw on nuts. When lie does steal a second the chain breaks down, the factory is disorganised, and Charlie is sacked on the spot—though not before he gets caught up in the machinery and whirled around oil a huge wheel. Mr Chaplin, whose last picture was shown in 1930, intends to take a theatre in New York and show his picture himself.