CHAPLIN IN "JEW SUSS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20560, 10 May 1930, Page 11 (Supplement)

CHAPLIN IN "JEW SUSS."

REPORT FROM NEW YORK.

Tbo New York Times has reported that Mr. Charles Chaplin, who has nob yet appeared in a sound film, has secured the manuscript of a play entitled " Josef Suss," with a view to tho possibility of reproducing it as a sound film. Ifc is understood, - however, that Mr. Chaplin intends to remain a eilent character, appearing as tho Silent Tramp, tho part in which ho first won recognition.

Tho announcement has aroused considerable interest in England. According to Mr. Louis Blattner, who owns tho film rights of Dr. Feuchtwanger's book—which naturally include thoso of tho play, since the two stories are to so great an extent indissociable—-there is not tho remotest truth in any suggestion that these are being transferred to Mr. Chaplin. Mi% Blattner said that ho was at present in negotiation with an American film for an Anglo-American production of a "Jew Suss" talk-film, but this firm wa3 United Artists, of which Mr. Chaplin is a member. On the other hand, since " Jbw Suss " was a historical character, it is entirely open to anyone to write a "story based on his real life, without including any of the incidents of Feuchtwanger's invention. It would be possiblo for Mr. Chaplin to introduce a silent tramp into luch a film, and it could includo any Kene which, did not infringe Dr. Leon feuchtwanger's rights to his own imaginings.

■lt is significent that Mr. Chaplin made his debut on the music-hall stage in the End of London. twenty-five years ago as " Sajn Cohen, the Jewish comedian." He_ reverted to his real namo afteiwards in a juvenile sketch called k ' Casey's Court Circus." . .