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Some people are born entertainers and
some others become actors. Charlie Chaplin’s name is one that
stands out among the class of natural entertainers. Comedians
of today invariably mimic some characteristic of his. What
added to his greatness was not just his natural talents for
entertaining, but also his genius for hard work. Talent and
hard work together produced the genius that the world knows as
Charlie Chaplin.
Early life
Chaplin was born unsung and ordinary in London, in the
year 1889. He spent his childhood days in claustrophobic
shabby homes and orphanages. He even lived on welfare help
from the state. His mother Hannah was a small-time actress.
Her husband deserted her and was later reported dead due to
alcoholism, when Charlie was about twelve years old. His
mother was not of sound health either and often she would be
committed to mental hospitals. |
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In spite of the depressing childhood,
Chaplin nurtured a passionate desire to educate himself and to
become literate. But his dreams came crashing and at age ten, he was
a school dropout. He joined a British vaudeville circuit as a mime
artist.
The American sojourn
Given his penchant for making a success of anything, there was
no stopping Chaplin. Using his extraordinary athleticism, expressive
grace, impeccable timing and genius for hard work, he attracted
attention. He was a class apart. When he was around twenty years of
age, he made his first trip to America, with Fred Karnos Speechless
Comedians. Impressed with the dazzling lights in the theatre
district in New York, Charlie Chaplin is said to have instantly
decided that this was where he belonged.
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Charlie Chaplin |
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In 1913, he joined Keystone Studios in New
York City. Making a Living, made in the year 1914, brought
him world-wide fame and accolades. The Tramp debuted in the
year 1915. However, Chaplin was not happy with the slapstick speed,
cop chases and escapades that were the trademarks of the producer.
Chaplin formed United Artists, along with
Pickford, Fairbanks and Griffith in the year 1919. In each of his
films, it was the actor that carried the film on his shoulders. Some
of Chaplin’s masterpieces include The Kid (1921), The Gold
Rush (1925), The Circus (1928), City Lights (1931)
and The Great Dictator (1940). The last was his first talkie
movie.
Swiss choice
As the 1940s moved along, Chaplin’s movies began to
express political sentiments, sympathizing with the pacifists,
communists and Soviet supporters. He started attracting attention of
the wrong kind from the authorities. The FBI prepared a dossier on
him that almost reached two thousand pages. However, by a twist of
fate he was acquitted; the FBI said it found no evidence to prove
that he belonged to the Communist Party or involved in any kind of
treason. He later settled in Switzerland with his third wife, Oona,
daughter of Eugene O'Neill.
The crowning glories
Some notable events in his life include the special Oscar from
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1972 and
receiving knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, in the year 1975. He
died on Christmas Day in 1977, in Switzerland. |
