Charlie Chaplin Humble Beginnings Born to Hannah and

Charlie Chaplin

Humble Beginnings Born to Hannah and Charles Chaplin on April 16, 1889 l London, England l Brother Sidney l Parents Divorced at early age l

Beginning a Life of Performance

First performance at the age of 5 when he filled in for his sick mother at the dance hall

Early Childhood l l l Hannah sent to asylum when Charlie is 7 Charlie and Sidney sent to government workhouse Hannah released and then sent back to asylum Charlie and Sidney sent to live with father and stepmother Sidney leaves home

Charlie Left Alone l At age of 9 Charlie joins 8 Lancashire Lads l Stan Laurel part of this troupe At age 12, Charlie’s father dies l In 1903, Hannah is readmitted to the asylum l Charlie provides for himself the best he can to avoid returning to the workhouse l Hannah is readmitted when Charlie is 16 --this time for 7 years. l

Change in Luck

Charlie’s Theater Performances Earns a part in “Jim, A Romance of Cockney” and “Sherlock Holmes” and gets glowing reviews l Joins Karno Troupe with brother Sidney l Pantomime troupe that includes Stan Laurel again l Tour the United States and England l 1912 tours the U. S. again and decides to stay l

In The Movies

Keystone Films Studio l l l In 2 months Charlie appears in 9 films Introduces his most famous character called “The Tramp” or “Little Fellow” Explodes into a major star At 25 he directs his first film “Twenty Minutes of Love” Leaves in November of same year and joins Essanay Film Company

The Fight for Creative Control

Essanay Film Company 1915 l Has more to do with films but still fights for creative control l Meets Edna Purviance l l On again off again relationship

Mutual Film Company 1916 l Makes many of his short films l Hires Henry Bergman (villain in many of Charlie’s films) and Tom Harrington as his personal secretary l

First National l l l 1917 Begins building his own studio Makes some more short films First time he has complete creative control 1918 Marries Mildred Harris

Love is in the Air

The Wives

Pathos and Comedy

United Artists 1919 l Formed this company with Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks in effort to keep big studios from having all control over a production l Still a production company today l

The Kid

The Kid l l l First full-length movie Took over a year to produce Causes Charlie’s divorce from Mildred Released in 1921 Huge box office success

Some Time Off

Vacation to Europe l Returns to crowds beyond his wildest dreams l Meets and becomes friends with H. G. Wells l Sidney and he take Hannah to the States to care for her

Returning to Work

The Gold Rush

The Gold Rush Lita Grey is replaced by Georgia Hale because she is pregnant with Charlie’s son. (16 yrs. Old) l Considered one of his finest films l Alaskan Gold Rush l

Births in 1925 Charles Spencer Chaplin Jr. l Oona O’Neill l

Trouble in Paradise 1926 -Son Sidney is born l Lita and Charlie split in a highly publicized divorce l l Highest divorce settlement of $825, 000 Turned Charlie’s hair permanently white l Continued work on The Circus and won a special Oscar in 1928 for his work as a director, and producer. l 1928 -Mother dies l

Charlie Chaplin The End of “The Tramp”

City Lights l Released in 1931 l Was Charlie’s first non-silent film l Not a “Talking” picture--only included sound effects and a musical soundtrack l Major gamble since talking pictures was now the standard l Was a financial and critical success

Modern Times Takes a vacation for two years l Almost assassinated in Japan l Meets Paulette Goddard who co-stars with him in Modern times l Modern Times is “The Tramp’s” final film l

Charlie and Paulette marry in secret after the film’s release

Charlie’s Attack Hitler and The Great Dictator

First “Talking” Picture released in 1940 Makes fun of Hitler and his politics

House Un-American Committee

1942 A Busy Year

1942 Paulette divorces Charlie and goes on to be a star in her own right l Charlie meets Oona O’Neill and falls deeply and permanently in love (marry in 1943) l l l Oona’s father, a distinguished playwright named Eugene O’Neill does not approve of his daughter’s relationship Joan Barry breaks into Charlie’s home with a gun and files a paternity suit l Blood test proves that Charlie is not the father but the evidence is inadmissable and Charlie is ordered to pay child support

Charlie’s Final Films

Limelight l l Made in 1951 Teamed with Buster Keaton--first and only time they make a film together Did not do well in American movie houses because of the rumors that Charlie was a communist symphathizer Years later is nominated for Academy Award and wins for Best Music

In Exile

Exile Leaves on vacation to England cannot get back into the U. S. l Oona returns and gathers Charlie’s assets l Relocate to Vevey, Switzerland in 1953 where they live for the remainder of their lives l

Life after the Movies

Life After the Movies l l l l Wins World Peace Council Prize in 1954 Reedits some of his earlier movies and composes new music for some of them Charlie’s name removed from Walk of Fame 1964 published an autobiography 1965 brother Sidney dies 1966 works on final film, A Countess in Hong Kong with Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren 1968 son Charlie Jr. dies

A Forgiven Hero

Charlie Returns to the U. S. Accepts Lifetime Achievement Academy Award l He is 83 yrs. Old l Chaplin gets his name back on Walk of Fame l

He is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and becomes Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin

Charlie Chaplin Passes away at his home in Switzerland on Dec. 25, 1977

Charlie’s Words “To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it!” “I remain just one thing, and one thing only--and that is a clown. It places me on a far higher plane than any politician. ” “Laughter is the tonic, relief, and surcease for pain. ”