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1-1-2008

Meryl Streep Rendition Comes To DVD In February

31-12-2007

Meryl Streep Meryl has been voted the world’s second worst boss

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26-12-2007

Cary Grant A New DVD box for Cary

20-11-2007

Robert de Niro De Niro’s paintings were sold

19-11-2007

Scarface Tony Montana was voted top gangster
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17-11-2007

The Maltese falcon A new Maltese falcon

5-11-2007

It’s a wonderful life A new DVD release

18-10-2007

Meryl Streep Meryl will receive another award

Spotlight

Charles Chaplin

I have no further use for America
I wouldn't go back there if Jesus Christ was president

Remarkable:

Charlie’s handprints, footprints and signature were immortalized in cement in Hollywood, but after his fall from grace with the Americans because of his political views, the section of cement was removed from public view.

Born:

April 16, 1889

Born as:

Charles Spencer Chaplin

Died:

December 25, 1977

Charlie was born in London (UK) and was the son of poverty-stricken music-hall entertainers. At five he took his first turn on the stage to take over from his mother. At the age of 17 he joined the music hall troupe of impresario Fred Karno, with whom he honed his pantomimic skills.

On tour in New York (1913), he caught the eye of Mack Sennett , who signed him to a film contract. His first movie, Making a Living (1914), premiered in February. He made 35 films that year meanwhile developing his character of The Little Tramp, baggy pants, derby hat, oversized shoes, and cane. The final touches were applied in The Tramp (1915) which made him an instant star.

In 1919 Chaplin teamed up with Douglas Fairbanks , Mary Pickford and D.W. Griffith to form United Artists, for production of their own films. In the following years Charles produced, directed, and starred in such classics as The Gold Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936) and The Great Dictator (1940).

The coming of sound (in 1928) presented a problem for Chaplin, the essence of whose art was pantomine. He reckoned that sound would ruin the simple appeal of his Tramp character, so in his next movies, Charles used sound effects sparingly.

Over the years he was criticized for his many romantic affairs and for his political leftist views. When Charles went to London in 1952 with fourth wife Oona, he was informed that he wasn't allowed to return to America. They moved to Switzerland. Chaplin did not return to the USA until 1972, when he accepted a Special Academy Award.

Selected Movies:

Modern Times (1936)
City Lights (1931)
The Great Dictator (1940)
The Gold Rush (1925)
The Kid (1921)
Easy Street (1917)
Show People (1928)
The Immigrant (1917)
The Circus (1928)
Limelight (1952)
Monsieur Verdoux (1947)

Academy awards:

1973 Won Oscar Best Music for: Limelight (1952)
1972 Won Honorary Award
1948 Nominated Best Writing for: Monsieur Verdoux (1947)
1941 Nominated Best Actor for: The Great dictator (1940)
1941 Nominated Best Picture for: The Great dictator (1940)
1941 Nominated Best Writing for: The Great dictator (1940)
1929 Won Honorary Award for: The circus (1928)

Books:

Theodore Huff -> Charlie Chaplin (1951/1972)
David Robinson -> Charlie Chaplin: Comic Genius (1996)
Joyce Milton -> Tramp: The Life of Charlie Chaplin (1996)
Kenneth S. Lynn -> Charlie Chaplin and His Times (1997)
Glenn Mitchell ->The Chaplin Encyclopedia (1997)
Alan Schroeder -> Charlie Chaplin: The Beauty of Silence (1997)
Ruth Turk -> Charlie Chaplin: Genius of the Silent Screen (2000)

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