Brevities

Northern Advocate, 26 January 1938, Page 2

Brevities

CHAPLIN’S OBSCURE BEGINNING

“Paint and Prejudice,” by C. R. W. Nevinson (Methuen), is a sparkling

auiooiography, as might be expected irom this fascinating and versadie of artists, who also, is a master of English who never fails to write with engaging charm. his memories of early student days are vividly etched, when, with other boisterous art students known as “the Slade Coster Gang.” who wore black jerseys, scarlet mufflers and black caps, he admits “we behaved abominably and were no examples for placid modern youths.” He recalls “a quiet, little, dark man.” who played a small part in Fred Kamo’s Mumming Birds at Bedford Music Hall and was to be mot in a pub at the back after the show. “He had nothing much to say for himself and gave no hint that he would one day prove to be the world’s greatest clown.” That quiet little man was Charlie Chaplin. “I was brought up in a spirit of internationalism” says Nevinson. “My lather had been chucked out of more meetings than any other man in London, and had achieved the distinction of being publicly rebuked by Lloyd George at the Albert Hall. My mother devoted the whole of her life at this period to the underdog, the scallyway,

and the fallen woman, and she fought tooth and nail against the smug powers that were. At home I heard little but contempt for the grossness of Edwardian days and its worship of all things which were established, be it prostitution or painting. It did not matter what a man did for the world. What would be leave? A poem? A picture? Nonsense. Look at his will. What had he made?”