Charlie Chaplin

Masters of Cinema

by Jérôme Larcher

Charlie Chaplin (UK, 1889–Switzerland, 1977) is one of cinema’s mythical figures, while the character he played so often has become an icon. After a childhood in Dickensian London and early work on the stage, it was his move to Hollywood that enabled him to express his rich talent to the maximum, becoming the undisputed master of the burlesque genre in its golden age. His best-known feature films, including City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936) and The Great Dictator (1940), were made in the 1930s and combine comedy with social and political comment. With the advent of sound, Chaplin put away his baggy trousers, walking stick, broken-down shoes and bowler hat and set about developing ambitious dramas. But during the cold war period his free lifestyle and left-wing political affiliations obliged him to leave the USA. While his last European films, Monsieur Verdoux (1947) and Limelight (1952), did not have the same popular success as his earlier work, they remain major masterpieces.

Genres: Film

96 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2007

Reviews

[a]

Mon pédophile préféré

[Izzie Flynn]

Amazing book. Finally managed to knuckle down and have a good read about my favourite idol. Chaplin is flawless and a true beautiful genius. A must read if you have any interest in him at all. Incredibly detailed and informative as i've previously stated.
Stunning artist, performer, comedian, composer and director.

[Aaron Badgley]

Excellent over view of this man's work. It does not go in to great depths of his personal life, only when it has bearing on his art. i love Chaplin, he is one of my favourites of all time. Excellent book.

[Ken French]

I bought & read this book in Hollywood, the same day I visited Chaplin's studio (now Jim Henson Pictures). A great way to cap off a trip to L.A.