Charles Lapworth (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Charles Lapworth was a socialist activist, journalist and film promoter.
Lapworth toured with Eugene V. Debs
in 1908, promoting the Industrial Workers of the World
and speaking about socialism in Britain. He returned to Britain to stand in Sheffield Brightside at the January 1910 UK general election for the Social Democratic Party
, but took only 4.7% of the vote. He then toured Italy with his wife, investigating the socialist movement there, and wrote Tripoli and the Young Italy with Helen Zimmern
.
In 1912, Lapworth again returned to Britain, to take up the editorship of the Daily Herald. Although he increased circulation, he upset its publisher, George Lansbury
, by strongly criticising Philip Snowden, and Lansbury himself replaced Lapworth as editor in late 1913. Lapworth worked as night editor of the Daily Mail
for a short time, before returning to the United States, which he toured with his family in an early Ford. In 1918, he interviewed Charlie Chaplin
, and briefly worked with him as a writer and consultant on A Dog's Life
. During the 1920s, he edited the Los Angeles Graphic newspaper, and also acted as Sam Goldwyn's agent in London. In 1925, he joined the board of Gainsborough Pictures
, where he wrote film scripts including The Sea Urchin and the original story of the early Hitchcock
movie, The Mountain Eagle
. He also worked as production manager with the short-lived Société Générale des Films, who made The Passion of Joan of Arc
. In 1931, he returned to Los Angeles, as editor of Film Quarterly. Among his other projects was the co-ownership of the Rye Courier, a small newspaper based in Rye, East Sussex
.
In 1942, Lapworth launched the short-lived Malibu Bugle, the first newspaper in the city.
Lapworth toured with Eugene V. Debs
Eugene V. Debs
Eugene Victor Debs was an American union leader, one of the founding members of the International Labor Union and the Industrial Workers of the World , and several times the candidate of the Socialist Party of America for President of the United States...
in 1908, promoting the Industrial Workers of the World
Industrial Workers of the World
The Industrial Workers of the World is an international union. At its peak in 1923, the organization claimed some 100,000 members in good standing, and could marshal the support of perhaps 300,000 workers. Its membership declined dramatically after a 1924 split brought on by internal conflict...
and speaking about socialism in Britain. He returned to Britain to stand in Sheffield Brightside at the January 1910 UK general election for the Social Democratic Party
Social Democratic Federation
The Social Democratic Federation was established as Britain's first organised socialist political party by H. M. Hyndman, and had its first meeting on June 7, 1881. Those joining the SDF included William Morris, George Lansbury and Eleanor Marx. However, Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx's long-term...
, but took only 4.7% of the vote. He then toured Italy with his wife, investigating the socialist movement there, and wrote Tripoli and the Young Italy with Helen Zimmern
Helen Zimmern
Helen Zimmern was a German-British writer and translator.-Biography:Zimmern and her parents emigrated in 1850 to Britain, where her father became a Nottingham lace merchant. She was naturalized upon coming of age. She was the sister of the suffragist Alice Zimmern and a cousin of the political...
.
In 1912, Lapworth again returned to Britain, to take up the editorship of the Daily Herald. Although he increased circulation, he upset its publisher, George Lansbury
George Lansbury
George Lansbury was a British politician, socialist, Christian pacifist and newspaper editor. He was a Member of Parliament from 1910 to 1912 and from 1922 to 1940, and leader of the Labour Party from 1932 to 1935....
, by strongly criticising Philip Snowden, and Lansbury himself replaced Lapworth as editor in late 1913. Lapworth worked as night editor of the Daily Mail
Daily Mail
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market tabloid newspaper owned by the Daily Mail and General Trust. First published in 1896 by Lord Northcliffe, it is the United Kingdom's second biggest-selling daily newspaper after The Sun. Its sister paper The Mail on Sunday was launched in 1982...
for a short time, before returning to the United States, which he toured with his family in an early Ford. In 1918, he interviewed Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
, and briefly worked with him as a writer and consultant on A Dog's Life
A Dog's Life
A Dog's Life is a silent film written, produced and directed by Charlie Chaplin. This was Chaplin's first film for First National Films....
. During the 1920s, he edited the Los Angeles Graphic newspaper, and also acted as Sam Goldwyn's agent in London. In 1925, he joined the board of Gainsborough Pictures
Gainsborough Pictures
Gainsborough Pictures was a British film studio based on the south bank of the Regent's Canal, in Poole Street, Hoxton in the former Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch, London. Gainsborough Studios were active between 1924 and 1951. Built as a power station for the Great Northern & City Railway it...
, where he wrote film scripts including The Sea Urchin and the original story of the early Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
movie, The Mountain Eagle
The Mountain Eagle
The Mountain Eagle is a British silent film, and Alfred Hitchcock's second as director following The Pleasure Garden.-Plot:The film is set in Kentucky. J. P. Pettigrew's wife died giving birth to his son Edward who was born a cripple. Pettigrew hates John Fulton who also loved Pettigrew's wife...
. He also worked as production manager with the short-lived Société Générale des Films, who made The Passion of Joan of Arc
The Passion of Joan of Arc
The Passion of Joan of Arc is a silent film produced in France in 1928. It is based on the record of the trial of Joan of Arc. The film was directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer and stars Renée Jeanne Falconetti...
. In 1931, he returned to Los Angeles, as editor of Film Quarterly. Among his other projects was the co-ownership of the Rye Courier, a small newspaper based in Rye, East Sussex
Rye, East Sussex
Rye is a small town in East Sussex, England, which stands approximately two miles from the open sea and is at the confluence of three rivers: the Rother, the Tillingham and the Brede...
.
In 1942, Lapworth launched the short-lived Malibu Bugle, the first newspaper in the city.