CHELMSFORD: Rare Charlie Chaplin film bought on eBay worth £1 million
A RARE Charlie Chaplin film bought for £3.20 on eBay by a Chelmsford collector is now thought to be worth more than £1million.
Mo Park was trawling the popular trading website looking for nothing in particular when an item that would change his life forever caught his eye.
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Chaplain2
It was unceremoniously listed as an "old film" and Mo was more interested in the battered tin than the 35mm nitrate film inside.
The 46-year-old, who grew up in Mildmay Road in Old Moulsham said when the parcel arrived he left it lying around his house for days. When he finally got round to opening it, the title – Charlie Chaplin in Zepped – captured his interest.
"I Googled it," said Mo, "and then my interest was pricked. I couldn't find it on the internet."
The former Moulsham High School pupil enlisted the help of neighbour John Dyer, former head of education for the British Board of Film Classification.
This dynamic duo embarked on a frenetic, globetrotting journey that took them to LA, Switzerland, Italy and Germany in an effort to find the film's origins.
Mo, who now lives in Henham, north Essex, said: "We went to Chaplin's film studio in LA, Chaplin's house, the Zeppelin museum – it was like the search for the Holy Grail. This whole film was a key to get us into places most people can't go."
The film lasts around seven minutes and blends footage of Chaplin with animation.
Mo said: "It starts with live shots of Chaplin. It then turns into a dreamscape.
"We see a Zeppelin bombing attack. And then Chaplin taking the mickey out of the Zeppelin, at the time a powerful instrument of terror."
Mo and John have been in regular contact with Chaplin's biographer David Robinson, and even sat in the office of Michael Pogorzelski, director of the Oscars' archive.
Pogorzelski called the film "definitely important".
These experts believe the movie is a First World War propaganda piece designed to calm fears of airship bombing raids.
They pointed to legal controversy surrounding the film's producers, Essanay, as to why Zepped never saw wide circulation.
Mo turned down an offer of £900,000 for the film by a private collector, and says he will make a decision on what to do with it in the next month.
He and John were followed on their wild quest by film-maker Hammad Khan. Mo said: "We had a laugh and Chaplin is one of the biggest screen icons of all time".
10 Comments
by George, Chelmsford
Saturday, May 29 2010, 2:59PM
“Oh so BurnhamBird you're live an advert stand and sleeping with the entire band ....that answer's everything then...I guess the guys need the cash as they have not been paying for their breakfasts ?”
by BurnhamBird, Burnham
Thursday, May 27 2010, 7:16PM
“Well done Cliff. It's not a hoax. The Chaplin story was here first and the song was a by product re-written by a friend of mine, hence I am keen to promote it! Don't know what Mo has done to deserve the flack he gets on here, nor do I care. The rest of the group are decent and deserve support.”
by Clifford, Brentwood
Wednesday, May 26 2010, 8:19PM
“Wow ! What has this bloke done ? I love Charlie Chaplin , Buster Keaton but favourite is L&H. Park's got a real unusual name so had a quick Google . If this is a hoax then that Balloon Boy pails into comparison. Rather than make petty accusations suggest you look at what I found: http://www.clearchampion.co.uk/
Have a look at the details page . If this is a hoax to sell a few records then I'll be a monkey's uncle ! Park and this bloke Dyer seem to have been everywhere and done everything... Do I sense a touch of the green eyed monster cause any fool can see this is no hoax. Any ideas when / where to see their documentary ?? Cliff”
by Clifford, Brentwood
Wednesday, May 26 2010, 8:09PM
“Oh and just had a look at that song BRING IT BACK TO BLIGHTY on youtube. Superb . Come on England. Can't wait.”
by George, Chelmsford
Tuesday, May 25 2010, 1:21PM
“Dont you just hate it when I was right ..AGAIN !”
by John, Chelmsford
Tuesday, May 25 2010, 11:20AM
“I went to school with Morace, he is a complete chancer and self publicist. Ask any of his own family. This is a bogus story just to sell his WC song. More fool the media for falling for it.”
by Lance, feared by the bad, loved by the good, Essex
Sunday, May 23 2010, 8:24PM
“Normal blokes having fun ???...What was it a days filming ...thank christ I have better things to do with my day than join a bunch of desperate sado's in village hall, trying to make a remake of the world cup song VINDERLOO ....
BTW , who organised and paid for this little video f recording of a fun filed epic by Mo & co ?
QED . Uncle Mo ....as he got the singing part ?
Charlie C would be turning in his grave ...:-)”
by BurnhamBird, Burnham
Sunday, May 23 2010, 5:16PM
“George, may I suggest yoga or classic fm for you to relax and stop pedalling your negativity and bitterness on here. It's getting quite boring!
The Clear Champions who have released the World Cup song are a group of normal blokes who are just having fun. Perhaps you should try it!”
by Arthur, Gorleston
Saturday, May 22 2010, 2:42PM
“It goes to show how much George knows about things. The film has been authenticated by experts. As to the "Nightclub", the council refused him to open it but let another person do so!!”
by BurnhamBird, Burnham
Friday, May 21 2010, 8:29PM
“They've also made a World Cup song on the back of a tune they found in the film. Check out www.bringitbacktoblighty.co.uk It's fantastic!”