Bercovici,+Konrad

Biographical Information:
Dates: 1882-1961  Dates in Ridgefield:

 biographer, fiction writer

Bercovici was born in Romania and went to university in Paris, where he met his wife. Together they moved to the Lower East Side in Manhatten. He worked in sweatshops, and later became a prolific author and contributor to //Harper’s Magazine.// In 1926, one of his books, //The Volga Boatman//, was made into a film, directed by Cecil B. DeMille.. In 1942 Bercovici sued Charlie Chaplin for plagiarism, claiming that Chaplin’s film, “The Great Dictator,” was based on an idea Bercovici had given to him orally. Chaplin, at a press conference, admitted that Bercovici had indeed given him the idea. Bercovici sued both Chaplin and United Artists; United settled the case and Bercovici was awarded $90,000.

//Around the World in New York //, //1924// //The Volga Boatman //, 1926 //The Story of the Gypsies, //1928 //Nights Abroad, //1928 //Savage Prodigal //, 1948
 * Titles (partial): **

–Sources: Jack Sanders, Notable Ridgefielders; www.tcm.com

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