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Pyramid Illustrated History of the Movies
Charlie Chaplin
The Pyramid Illustrated History of the Movies is a series of volumes that offers a comprehensive overview and brings a fresh perspective to the influential figures, forms, and styles in the development of motion pictures. Each lavishly illustrated volume has been designed to stimulate the interest of the student for whom film is an art, and to stir the memories of the fan for whom "going to the movies" will always be an exhilarating experience. -- "Charlie" "Charlot" "Carlitos" "The Little Fellow". By any name, the irrepressible Tramp of Charlie Chaplin, with his little mustache, baggy pants, and bowler hat, has been universally loved as a vastly comic, vastly poignant, and eloquent screen figure. Robert F. Moss book joins numerous photographs and a brilliantly original text in a study of Chaplin that spans the silent and sound years and places his career in a new perspective.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
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March 29, 2025
Tucked away in the older part of Fremont, California is Niles once home to a vibrant if short lived film studio built in the 1910s before the boom of Hollywood. I visited the Niles Essanay museum which prominently features cut-outs of Charlie Chaplin who made films there before he became a breakout star. To support the gift shop I bought postcards and this slender volume on the lovable tramp.
Chaplin is the entertainment celebrity of the 20th century. London born in abject poverty his career began on the vaudeville stage and concludes with a film starring Marlon Brando that avatar of method acting. His politics and sexual antics got him banned from the US for twenty years. As an artist, he reached universal popularity performing in silent films and gained auteur status and highbrow praise with his later talking films.
They showed an early Chaplin silent short at the Essany museum which didn’t move me much and so I spent some time pondering his outsized influence on American life. Maybe I had to be there to appreciate his achievements but he leaves me cold. His persona is cloying and annoying and his later films seem like they would be tedious and mawkish. The author of this book, Robert Moss treats Chaplin with a much appreciated coolness, recognizing his influence and particular genius but also wise to what made him a weak director and a self indulgent performer. He calls out Chaplin for nearly always choosing weak costars, content for the spotlight to remain fixed on his features.
Chaplin is the entertainment celebrity of the 20th century. London born in abject poverty his career began on the vaudeville stage and concludes with a film starring Marlon Brando that avatar of method acting. His politics and sexual antics got him banned from the US for twenty years. As an artist, he reached universal popularity performing in silent films and gained auteur status and highbrow praise with his later talking films.
They showed an early Chaplin silent short at the Essany museum which didn’t move me much and so I spent some time pondering his outsized influence on American life. Maybe I had to be there to appreciate his achievements but he leaves me cold. His persona is cloying and annoying and his later films seem like they would be tedious and mawkish. The author of this book, Robert Moss treats Chaplin with a much appreciated coolness, recognizing his influence and particular genius but also wise to what made him a weak director and a self indulgent performer. He calls out Chaplin for nearly always choosing weak costars, content for the spotlight to remain fixed on his features.
Displaying 1 of 1 review