The Consul, The Tramp and America's Sweetheart at Theatre 40 at The Reuben Cordova Theatre

Georg Gyssling (1893-1965), German Consul in Los Angeles and a Nazi party member, was charged by Hitler to dissuade Hollywood from making pictures critical of the Third Reich, by threats of banning Hollywood product in the German and Austrian markets. In The Consul, The Tramp and America's Sweetheart, Gyssling visits United Artists head Mary Pickford (1892-1979) in an attempt to block filming of The Great Dictator, directed by Charles Chaplin (1889-1977). Pickford's receptionist, Esther Hollembe, gives the audience entree to the meetings in Pickford's office between Hollywood's first female mogul, a beloved actor and director, and a Nazi schemer.