Charlie Chaplin: Difference between revisions
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April | 16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977. English comic actor and director, who became famous for his roles in silent films. | ||
== Early life == | |||
Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London as the son of the actor Charles Spencer Chaplin and the actress and singer Hannah Harriet Chaplin (better known as Lily Harley, her stage name). Because of the early death of his father in 1901 and the illness of his mother, he was thrown on his own resources when he still was a child. As both of his parents were artists, it seemed natural to begin a career on the stage as well. | Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London as the son of the actor Charles Spencer Chaplin and the actress and singer Hannah Harriet Chaplin (better known as Lily Harley, her stage name). Because of the early death of his father in 1901 and the illness of his mother, he was thrown on his own resources when he still was a child. As both of his parents were artists, it seemed natural to begin a career on the stage as well. | ||
== Starting a career == | |||
At the age of 14, he had his first important role in a stage show (''Sherlock Holmes''). A little later, he continued his career as vaudeville comedian and became a member of the Fred Karno Repertoire Company. They traveled all over Britain and twice to America to show their repertoire. He was so popular in the United States that the Keystone Film Company offered him to act in films. So, he emigrated to America and after some problems at the beginning, the audiences were enthusiastic about Chaplin and he became very successful and even the most popular comedian worldwide. | At the age of 14, he had his first important role in a stage show (''Sherlock Holmes''). A little later, he continued his career as vaudeville comedian and became a member of the Fred Karno Repertoire Company. They traveled all over Britain and twice to America to show their repertoire. He was so popular in the United States that the Keystone Film Company offered him to act in films. So, he emigrated to America and after some problems at the beginning, the audiences were enthusiastic about Chaplin and he became very successful and even the most popular comedian worldwide. | ||
== Becoming independent == | |||
Until 1917, Chaplin had been under contract with three different film companies. He then decided to become independent by building up his own studios and becoming a producer on his own. He was at least as successful as a producer as he was as an actor; the most famous movies are: | Until 1917, Chaplin had been under contract with three different film companies. He then decided to become independent by building up his own studios and becoming a producer on his own. He was at least as successful as a producer as he was as an actor; the most famous movies are: | ||
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''Limelight'' (1952) | ''Limelight'' (1952) | ||
In his films, Chaplin digested what he was bothered with at that time. | In his films, Chaplin digested what he was bothered with at that time. ''Modern Times'', for example, deals with the new age of mechanisation and [[Urbanisation|urbanisation]]. Chaplin was preoccupied with the social and economic problems of the time. | ||
== Leaving the United States == | |||
In 1952 Charlie Chaplin travelled to Europe again for a family vacation and the premiere of his new film ''Limelight''. During his stay abroad, the US revoked Chaplin’s re-entry permit and stated that because of his political attitude, he had to answer questions of the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) first to be allowed to return to the US. He was accused of being a Communist, although he had never said so or had been a member of a Communist Party. This incident tipped the balance for Chaplin’s decision not to return to the United States (since Joan Barry claimed Chaplin had impregnated her in 1943, he was constantly talked down by the American mass media). He sold his film studio and house in Hollywood and moved to Switzerland. | |||
In 1952 Charlie Chaplin travelled to Europe again for a family vacation and the premiere of his new film ''Limelight''. During his stay abroad, the US revoked Chaplin’s re-entry permit and stated that because of his political attitude, he had to answer questions of the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) first to be allowed to return to the US. He was accused of being a Communist, although he had never said so or had been a member of a Communist Party. This incident | |||
In the following years, Chaplin produced several films and after the tensions between him and the American press had calmed down, he visited the United States once again in 1972. | In the following years, Chaplin produced several films and after the tensions between him and the American press had calmed down, he visited the United States once again in 1972. | ||
== Death == | |||
In the late sixties Chaplin’s health began to fail, until he died in Switzerland in 1977. By that time, he had nine children from two different marriages. | In the late sixties Chaplin’s health began to fail, until he died in Switzerland in 1977. By that time, he had nine children from two different marriages. | ||
Sources | == Sources == | ||
Chaplin, Charlie. ''Hallo Europa!'' Ed. Charlotte Pol and Heinz Pol. Leipzig: Paul List Verlag, 1928. | Chaplin, Charlie. ''Hallo Europa!'' Ed. Charlotte Pol and Heinz Pol. Leipzig: Paul List Verlag, 1928. | ||
Maland, Charles J. Chaplin and American Culture. The Evolution of a Star Image. New Jersey: Princeton UP, 1989. | Maland, Charles J. ''Chaplin and American Culture. The Evolution of a Star Image.'' New Jersey: Princeton UP, 1989. | ||
McCaffrey, Donald W., ed. ''Focus on Chaplin''. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1971. | McCaffrey, Donald W., ed. ''Focus on Chaplin''. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1971. | ||
http://www.charliechaplin.com/ | http://www.charliechaplin.com/ | ||
Latest revision as of 15:56, 12 January 2017
16 April 1889 – 25 December 1977. English comic actor and director, who became famous for his roles in silent films.
Early life
Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London as the son of the actor Charles Spencer Chaplin and the actress and singer Hannah Harriet Chaplin (better known as Lily Harley, her stage name). Because of the early death of his father in 1901 and the illness of his mother, he was thrown on his own resources when he still was a child. As both of his parents were artists, it seemed natural to begin a career on the stage as well.
Starting a career
At the age of 14, he had his first important role in a stage show (Sherlock Holmes). A little later, he continued his career as vaudeville comedian and became a member of the Fred Karno Repertoire Company. They traveled all over Britain and twice to America to show their repertoire. He was so popular in the United States that the Keystone Film Company offered him to act in films. So, he emigrated to America and after some problems at the beginning, the audiences were enthusiastic about Chaplin and he became very successful and even the most popular comedian worldwide.
Becoming independent
Until 1917, Chaplin had been under contract with three different film companies. He then decided to become independent by building up his own studios and becoming a producer on his own. He was at least as successful as a producer as he was as an actor; the most famous movies are:
The Kid (1921)
The Circus (1928)
City Lights (1931)
Modern Times (1936)
The Great Dictator (1940)
Limelight (1952)
In his films, Chaplin digested what he was bothered with at that time. Modern Times, for example, deals with the new age of mechanisation and urbanisation. Chaplin was preoccupied with the social and economic problems of the time.
Leaving the United States
In 1952 Charlie Chaplin travelled to Europe again for a family vacation and the premiere of his new film Limelight. During his stay abroad, the US revoked Chaplin’s re-entry permit and stated that because of his political attitude, he had to answer questions of the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) first to be allowed to return to the US. He was accused of being a Communist, although he had never said so or had been a member of a Communist Party. This incident tipped the balance for Chaplin’s decision not to return to the United States (since Joan Barry claimed Chaplin had impregnated her in 1943, he was constantly talked down by the American mass media). He sold his film studio and house in Hollywood and moved to Switzerland. In the following years, Chaplin produced several films and after the tensions between him and the American press had calmed down, he visited the United States once again in 1972.
Death
In the late sixties Chaplin’s health began to fail, until he died in Switzerland in 1977. By that time, he had nine children from two different marriages.
Sources
Chaplin, Charlie. Hallo Europa! Ed. Charlotte Pol and Heinz Pol. Leipzig: Paul List Verlag, 1928.
Maland, Charles J. Chaplin and American Culture. The Evolution of a Star Image. New Jersey: Princeton UP, 1989.
McCaffrey, Donald W., ed. Focus on Chaplin. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1971.