Description:
Charlie Chaplin (April 16, 1889-December 25, 1977) was one of the finest and most famous actors, directors, composers and musicians of the early and mid-Hollywood era. His career spanned 65 years, beginning at the Victorian stage until his death at 88. His principal character was “The Tramp,” wearing a tight coat, oversized shoes and trousers and a derby. His high profile public and private life encompassed praise and controversy.
Chaplin’s parents were both entertainers, but separated before he was three. As a child, he lived with his mother in and around London, where he was born. Chaplin’s father was an alcoholic and had little contact with the family. Chaplin’s mother became mentally ill and was sent to an asylum. Chaplin and his brother forged a close personal relationship to survive and both had natural stage talent.
From 1910 to 1912, Chaplin toured with the Fred Karno troupe. He arrived in the United States in 1912 with the Karno Company and met Stanley Jefferson, later known as Stan Laurel. Chaplinand Laurel shared a room in a boarding house. Laurel returned to England but Chaplin stayed behind.
In 1913, Chaplin’s act with the Karno Company was seen by film producer Mack Sennett, who hired him for his studio, the Keystone Film Company. Chaplin’s first film appearance was in “Making a Living,” a one-reel comedy released on Feb. 2, 1914. Chaplin became an instant success. Chaplin’s second film was “Kid Auto Races in Venice” in 1914 in which be debuted his tramp costume.
Chaplin was soon directing his own films. He made 34 shorts during his first year in pictures, including the landmark feature “Tille’s Punctured Romance.” In 1916, Chaplin was paid $670,000 by the Mutual Film Corporation to produce a dozen two-reel comedies. He had complete artistic control, producing the films over an 18-month period that rank among the most influential comedy films in cinema. The films were revamped in 1933 as sound movies.
Chaplin co-founded the United Artists film distribution company with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D.W. Griffith, all of whom were seeking to escape the growing power consolidation of film distributors and financiers in the developing Hollywood studio system. This move, along with complete control of his film production through his studio, assured Chaplin's independence as a film-maker. He served on the board of UA until the early 1950s.
Chaplin's first dialogue picture, The Great Dictator in 1940 was an act of defiance against German dictator Adolph Hitler and Nazism. The film was released in the United States one year before the U.S. abandoned its policy of isolationism to enter World War II. Chaplin played the role of a Hitler-like dictator "Adenoid Hynkel", Dictator of Tomainia, clearly modeled on Hitler.
Chaplin's political sympathies were always to the left. His politics seem tame by modern standards, but in the 1940s his views (in conjunction with his influence, fame, and status in the United States as a resident foreigner) were seen by many as communistic. His final dramatic speech in “The Great Dictator,” was critical of following patriotic nationalism without question. Chaplin declined to support the war effort as he had done during World War I, which led to public anger.
Chaplin was accused of “un-American activities” during the McCarthy era and J. Edgar Hoover instructed the FBI to keep extensive secret files on him and even tried to end his United States residency. In 1952, Chaplin left the U.S. for what was intended as a brief trip home for the London premiere of “Limelight.” Hoover learned of the trip and negotiated with the Immigration and Naturalization Service to revoke Chaplin's re-entry permit. Chaplin decided not to re-enter the United States, writing: ".....Since the end of the last world war, I have been the object of lies and propaganda by powerful reactionary groups who, by their influence and by the aid of America's yellow press, have created an unhealthy atmosphere in which liberal-minded individuals can be singled out and persecuted. Under these conditions I find it virtually impossible to continue my motion-picture work, and I have therefore given up my residence in the United States."
Chaplin then made his home in Switzerland. He briefly and triumphantly returned to the United States in April 1972, with his wife, to receive an Honorary Oscar, and was welcomed warmly. That same year, Chaplin won an Oscar for the Best Music in an Original Dramatic Score for the 1952 film “Limelight.”
Chaplin was married four times. He died in his sleep on Christmas Day in 1977 in Switzerland.
Exceptional vintage 5” x 7” autographed photograph signed “Respectfully Chas Chaplin.” Some mild soiling on borders. A great piece of Americana by one of the world’s greatest actors and directors.
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