Charlie Chaplin

Chaplin and the 1900s
     Charlie Chaplin said, "All my pictures are built around the idea of getting in trouble and so giving me the chance to be desperately serious in my attempt to appear as a normal little gentleman." This statement depicts Chaplin's odd and unpredictable behavior. He tends to be politically incorrect with his antics and odd demeanor. Chaplin was born in poverty in Southern London. His father died when he was young so he never knew him personally. His mother was insane and got sent to an institute, and was deemed unfit to raise him. He lived in an orphanage for the majority of his childhood. When he turned eighteen he began his acting career with small roles, then worked his way up to world renowned status. After experiencing success in England, he traveled to America where he was sought after by Hollywood. By 1918, he was one of the most well known individuals in the world.  Charlie Chaplin's fame also lead him to be a target when he was accused of being a communist sympathizer and was exiled from the United States. He was eighty eight where he died in his sleep from a stroke. Chaplin was a admirable man who was misunderstood both when he was young and old. Charlie Chaplin exemplified heroic qualities in that he stood for his principles, pushed boundaries within the film making industry, and he had a fierce commitment to excellence in his field.

    Although Chaplin wasn't a perfect man by any stretch of the imagination, he did have integrity in his political view points that were expressed in his films. Many production companies didn't want to be involved in Chaplin's films later in his life because he held political ideas that were not mainstream. Chaplin then would have to do things his own way and "...would finance, write and direct all his films himself (Biography Chaplin)." This gave him the freedom to do things his own unique way. Some instances were more subtle than others because many of his innovations, like film improvisation, were harmless. When he started to involve his political views, reviews were mixed. "'The Great Dictator' effectively ridiculed Hitler and Mussolini, but his postwar movies were didactic. Critics complained his work had become pretentious (Chaplin, Charlie 1889-1977)." Even though he had produced a film that mocked the enemy, his post war films were critical of capitalism and industry, which are ideas that Americans value. One in particular, "Monsieur Verdoux", was not welcomed by American audiences. He was also critical of the 1950s communist witch hunts, which angered politicians. When he left the country in 1952, his re-entry into the country was held up, and rather than meeting with American officials in regards to his political views, Charlie Chaplin decided not to return to the United States. He resided in Switzerland for nearly two decades. As political views changed in the 1960s, many in the film industry began to have a renewed interest in his work and Chaplin returned home where he was recognized with an honorary Academy Award for the incalculable effect he has had in making motion pictures. His life would have been much easier if he had conformed to popular American views politically, yet he decided to be true to his beliefs and except the consequences.

    Chaplin wanted to push the boundaries of film making and tended to be innovative in his features, proving him to be spontaneous and original. He patronized the art of improvisation. "While his (Chaplin) method was unorthodox...it provided lively and spontaneous footage (About the Author)." No one had ever attempted working with improvisation before and most directors thought sticking to the script kept the features low budget and efficient. Chaplin was unique. He tried every angle of scenes to ensure excellence. He also performed in many of the films he made, placing himself in the shoes of the actors, trying to see things from their point of view so he knew what they needed to complete their jobs. Everyone knew him not for just his acting and direction. They also acknowledged him for what he wrote and how he composed. "Perhaps of no other one man can it be said that he wrote, directed, acted, and scored a motion picture (Chaplin 1)." Nobody had attempted all aspects of film, so critics were skeptical at first. But as he composed more of his movies people started to appreciate his gifts. All these talents make Chaplin one of the biggest faces in film. Why he became so versatile was because of his dedication to his work and his efforts to make the audiences smile. He knew exactly what he was doing so he could serve anyone's needs. By achieving this, Chaplin became renowned for his work.    

    Chaplin sparked a new era of experimental filmmaking and the dedication to express and impress audiences, along with standing by his beliefs. Chaplin was destined for greatness, ever since he auditioned for his first role back in England. People noticed his talent early on and he became a family name at about eighteen. He's consistently remarkable with very few flops. Charlie Chaplin inspires me to live spontaneously and to take risks when given the opportunity. Various directors I respect such as Danny Boyle director of "Trainspotting" and David Finchcer, director of "Fight Club" idolize Chaplin and praise his work. He encourages me to peruse a career in screenwriting and direction. I hope to become as skilled in the entertainment industry as he was. He wrote, directed, produced, starred in, and composed numerous films. Chaplin's vast influence on modern-day cinema will not be understated.