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Charlie Chaplin

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Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977)
Charlie Chaplin was Britain's first great movie star, and still remains one of the most famous names in cinema. Making his name in silent movies, Chaplin first visited America in 1912, touring with the Fred Karno Company. The next year, 1913, he was in films, making an astounding 35 movies in that year, for Mack Sennett. From there the famous tramp character evolved.

In 1919, Chaplin already had enough power to help form United Artists, with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith. Soon after, 'The Kid (1921)' became his most successful film yet. When the sound era came, Chaplin was still having great success, and it continued up to 'Limelight (1952)', when the McCarthy witch-hunt kicked in, and persuaded Chaplin to quit the U.S. for good, and move to Switzerland.

Charlie Chaplin was a genius. He wrote and conducted the score for the hit film, 'City Lights (1931)', which he also directed, starred in, and wrote the screenplay for. He also wrote the music and screenplays for, directed and starred in, both acclaimed films, 'The Great Dictator (1940)' and 'Limelight'. Chaplin did return to America - to pick up a special Academy Award in 1971.

- Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com.