Mo Rothman
Moses Rothman (January 14, 1919 – September 15, 2011) was a Canadian-born, American studio executive who persuaded Charlie Chaplin to return to the United States in 1972, ending Chaplin's twenty year, self-imposed exile.[1][2][3] Chaplin's return to the United States restored his popularity and public reputation.[1][2]
Jeffrey Vance, author of the 2003 Chaplin biography, Chaplin: Genius of the Cinema, wrote that Chaplin's 1972 return to the United States, which was arranged by Rothman, was "one of the greatest P.R. coups, and personal rehabilitations" in the history of the film industry.[2] Vance further wrote that, "Rothman is the guy who re-made Chaplin."[2]
Biography
Career
Rothman was born in
Rothman took their advice and moved to New York City after the end of the war.[2] He worked for Universal Pictures from 1946 to 1952 as an overseas manager in India, Singapore and Venezuela.[1][3] In 1952, Rothman joined United Artists' office in Paris, France, as the studio's continental European manager, where he worked from 1952 to 1959.[3]
Rothman was hired by
Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin, one of Hollywood's best known figures, had founded United Artists with
In 1952, Chaplin traveled to his native home to promote the London premiere of Limelight, the last film he made in the United States. While abroad, United States Attorney General James P. McGranery revoked Chaplin's re-entry permit and would not allow him to return to the United States.[1] Chaplin moved to Switzerland in 1952, and swore never to return to the United States.[2] Chaplin owned and retained the rights to most of his movies, which he took with him to Switzerland.[1]
Rothman's relationship to Chaplin stretched back to the 1950s, when he first met Chaplin while working as United Artists' European manager.
Rothman successfully persuaded Chaplin, who was 83 years old at the time, to return to the United States in order to promote the re-release of his
The visit, orchestrated by Rothman, restored Chaplin's popularity and reputation.
Chaplin died in 1977, his popularity restored. Rothman continued to release his films throughout the 1970s and 1980s. During the mid-1980s, Rothman loaned the now defunct United States Information Agency twelve of Chaplin's films, which were screened at American embassies worldwide as an example of American film and art.[1]
Later life
In 1982, Rothman was the recipient of the
Rothman was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease later in life. In 2001, his wife, Lyn Rothman, spurred on by her husband's diagnosis, founded the Parkinson's Appeal for Deep Brain Stimulation, based in London.[3]
Mo Rothman died from Parkinson's disease in Los Angeles on September 15, 2011, at the age 92.[1] and is survived by his wife, Lyn Rothman, with whom he had been married for 37 years; three children from two previous marriages: Keith from his first marriage and Nicole and Monique from his second marriage to German actress Hanna Rucker (1923-1982); two stepchildren, Sebastian and Arabella; and seven grandchildren.[2] He was interred at Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Woo, Elaine (2011-09-29). "Mo Rothman dies at 92; found new audience for Chaplin". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-10-01.
- ^ New York Times. Retrieved 2011-10-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Barnes, Mike (2011-09-23). "Mo Rothman, Who Engineered the Return of Charlie Chaplin in the '70s, Dies". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2011-10-01.
- ISBN 0-8109-4532-0.
- ^ "Mo Rothman". The Daily Telegraph. London. 2011-12-13.