Charlie Chaplin | Christie's

Charlie Chaplin

细节

Charlie Chaplin
Two rare manuscripts, each in an unidentified hand, for a comedy sketch Twelve Just Men, one manuscript part-typescript part-hand-written, [n.d. but possibly 1915], 22 pages with deletions and alterations, the other manuscript entitled 12 Just Men By Charles & Sydney Chaplin, Property of Ernest Lotinga, Twickenham, the thirty page manuscript giving cast list, music cues, stage directions and including a few alterations and deletions and a number of minor variations to the text of the previous manuscript, both versions of the play in a modern custom-made box; and a photocopy of a press cutting [n.d. but 1932] stating An agent of Mr Charles Chaplin yesterday offered £5,000 for the copyright of a playlet written by the film star and sold by him 20 years ago for £5... (2)

出版

ROBINSON, David Chaplin His Life & Art, London: Collins, 1985, pp. 69-70

拍品专文

The plot of Chaplin's sketch was a jury deliberating a breach of promise case. ..Their discussions were complicated by the presence in their number of a deaf-mute, a drunk, and other unlikely personages. Chaplin sold the sketch for £3 and was hired to direct it, but the backer pulled out after two or three days. ..Either Chaplin or his backer, a stage hypnotist called Charcoate...subsequently managed to sell the sketch to the comedian Ernie Lotinga for £5. Lotinga forgot about it until 1932 when he announced that he would produce the sketch written by Charlie Chaplin. Lotinga refused Chaplin's offer to buy the sketch back and proposed that he and Chaplin should go into partnership in the production with Chaplin playing the drunk. Chaplin declined the invitation and although Lotinga claimed he'd produse the sketch himself, no more was heard of it.