A film about a silent movie great once earned two men a writ from the man himself. And though their day in court turned out to be a short one, it would have long-lasting effects.
Gazing wistfully
The film in question—The Life Story of Charles Chaplin—was the work of Harry B Parkinson. It was made quickly, at the height of its subject’s popularity, and it was ready for release in the autumn of 1926.
Harry, who came from Blackburn, had once been a picture house manager. He would end up with more than 100 movies to his credit, of which the best remembered are the travelogues in the gorgeous Wonderful London series. But he also attracted more than his fair share of controversy.
Trapped by the Mormons was one of Harry’s earlier films, and though its scenes of polygamous excess might have won converts to the faith, many Latter-day Saints were deeply offended. Cocaine, meanwhile, exploited fears that the capital was being
