America 1919

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Is this not the same as picking peaches?

"Mr. Block, this matter, I'm afraid ...."

"Charlie!"

Before Charlie Chaplin could finish, Griffith suddenly interrupted him because he knew Chaplin too well. At this moment, Chaplin's words were most likely indicating a refusal to Donnie Block, and if that was the case, they would have lost a potential solution to the company's problems.

Chaplin, interrupted by Griffith, looked at him suspiciously.

Griffith smiled and said to Donnie, "Mr. Block, we are very grateful for your interest in taking shares in our company. However, this is a major matter and we need to discuss it with Pickford and Douglas in Europe before we can respond to your request"

Donnie thought for a moment and said nothing more.

After discussing this matter, they didn't have any specific issues to talk about. What followed was some casual chatting about various topics. Your next read is at empire

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"David, you're not seriously considering letting Donnie in, are you?"

After Donnie Block and his party left the hotel, Charlie Chaplin went to Griffith's room, looking somewhat displeased at Griffith.

"United Artists is our joint effort, and Donnie Block only wants to use us as a stepping stone to officially enter Hollywood."

Griffith explained, "Charlie, from the incident of destroying the inferior bootleg liquor, we have seen Donnie's business methods, and we can't compare to that. Think about it. If Donnie didn't have the capability to solve our company's current situation, why would he propose to take shares in our company?"

Chaplin sat down on the sofa, still disbelievingly said, "David, aren't you overestimating this Donnie? I've already said, the liquor and the film industries are two completely different fields. How could Donnie Block possibly have a solution for everything? Besides, this man's financial resources are limited. Even if he joins our company, it won't make much of a difference!"

In Chaplin's view, although Donnie's Miss America was being held with much fanfare, Donnie's own wealth might not even compare to theirs. United Artist's two biggest problems were actually funding and distribution after producing the films.

Why could those big Hollywood studios be referred to as such?

There is no need to discuss their financial resources.

Production-wise, they have their shooting bases, like Universal now has its own.

This point is somewhat manageable, but what truly troubled United Artists was distribution!

Hollywood's big studios all had their distribution channels, and more importantly, they had their own theaters, and they had already formed a community of interests, seriously resisting the films of United Artists.

For United Artists, the best solution right now was to establish their own distribution channels or to build their theaters nationwide.

But both solutions required a lot of cash.

On this point, they couldn't solve it, and neither could Donnie!

It was not without reason that Chaplin thought this way. First, he only saw the popularity of Miss America and did not understand the methods of cashing in on the benefits. Secondly, he did not know the horrifying extent to which Donnie's bootlegging business had reached.

Think about it. The First National Pictures, a few years ago, offered Chaplin a million US dollars per film just to have him work for them. Such a fee is astronomical!

If converted to the compensation in later eras, it would be over a hundred million dollars.

"If that were the case, Donnie wouldn't propose taking shares in our company!" Griffith said firmly, "Charlie, none of us can deny Donnie's intelligence. This matter is from a business standpoint. If Donnie didn't have his own solution, why would he choose to take shares in our company and make a losing deal?"

"David, have you forgotten our previous conversation? Donnie is doing this just to allow his Miss Americas to smoothly enter Hollywood. He is using our company as a stepping stone to enter Hollywood!" Chaplin continued to firmly believe in his own judgment!

Griffith too realized that he simply couldn't convince Chaplin.

"Charlie, how about this, after the Miss America event is over, let's find an opportunity to have a good talk with Donnie Block. At the same time, we will share our judgments with Pickford and Douglas. If Donnie can find a solution to the current difficulties of the company, then we will bring him into the company as a shareholder. How about that?"

Chaplin couldn't overly reject Griffith's opinion and eventually agreed to Griffith's suggestion.

"Alright!"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

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"It seems Chaplin doesn't trust you very much!"

After Donnie and his companions returned to Block Tavern, Walker teased Donnie.

Donnie gave Walker a look, "This man is one you invited. Now instead of thinking of ways to make Chaplin agree with my proposal, you're here making jests. I'm beginning to seriously doubt you've gotten a bit too carried away lately!

It's a sickness, must be cured!"

While speaking, Donnie had already started to stretch his arms and legs.

Walker, understanding that his slight frame was no match for Donnie, quickly begged for mercy, "Isn't it because I am pleased with my love life, naturally I might lose my composure a bit!"

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