A day in the 1920s with Charlie Chaplin by Michael Dillingham [STUDENT]

Who is Charlie Chaplin?

michael1613155 — 2024-09-17 06:04:55 UTC

Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin KBE, better known as just Charlie Chaplin, was an English filmmaker and comedian. He rose to fame during the silent film era, and is known for his wildly popular comedy films. He both produced and starred in all of his movies, along with writing, editing, directing, and more. He is remembered for helping to popularize and pioneer slapstick comedy.

Chaplin's Early life

michael1613155 — 2024-09-17 06:16:50 UTC

^{Charlie Chaplin was a star from the beginning, starting his comedy career at the age of 5. After his mother's voice failed on stage while performing a musical for a crowd of soldiers, the producer shoved him on stage, and he finished the performance with a mix of music and comedy. He made his professional debut at the age of 8 as a member of a juvenile clog-dance troupe. Charlie grew up partly orphaned, spending 18 months in an orphanage, which would end up being the longest continuous period of schooling he would receive. After he left the orphanage, his mother was sent to a mental hospital for 2 years after developing psychosis from syphilis. Charlie and his brother were sent to live with his father, Charlie Sr, who was very unhelpful in his son's upbringing, and ended up dying not very long after developing cirrhosis of the liver from alcoholism. Between his troubled times in both an orphanage and his abusive father, Charlie began to seek comfort in acting, especially in comedy. He took up several performing jobs, and by 1907, he was already an accomplished comedic performer.}

Fun Facts about Chaplin

michael1613155 — 2024-09-17 06:30:54 UTC

^{1: Chaplin played the same character in most of his films, a character named Little Tramp. He dressed up in baggy pants, a tight coat, big shoes, a small bowler hat and a bamboo cane. A large part of Chaplin's success could be contributed to this character.}

^{2: Charlie tried his best to refuse making a "Talkie" (non-silent film), fearing it would ruin the Little Tramp character, and only made a few with music, and even less with actual dialogue.}

^{3: Chaplin was essentially exiled from the USA. He was viewed as a communist sympathizer in the 1940s after his film, "Modern Times". After leaving for vacation in England in 1952, the government revoked his re-entry, blocking him from returning to America.}

^{4: Chaplin married three different teenagers, the first time was Mildred Harris, when she was 17 and Chaplin was 29. The second time was with Lita Grey, when she was 16 and he was 35. The last time, he married Oona O'Neill, she being 18 and he being 53.}

^{5: Chaplin had 11 children over his life, the first one, Norman Spencer Chaplin, son of Mildred Harris and Charlie Chaplin, was born on July 7th, 1919, but sadly died three days later.}

Why did I choose Charlie Chaplin?

michael1613155 — 2024-09-17 06:34:27 UTC

I've always loved comedy films, and I find particular joy in slapstick comedy. I realized I've always heard of Charlie Chaplin, but then I noticed, I don't actually know anything about him. Sure, I know he makes comedy films, but outside of that, I've never actually learned anything about him. I enjoyed diving into his history, films, and career.