My Life in Pictures

by Charlie Chaplin, David King (Designer), Francis Wyndham (Introduction)

Every age gives rise to great artists. However, only once in a while does a genius emerge whose work is of such brilliance and magnitude that it surpasses all existing levels. Charles Chaplin was such an artist and his extraordinary career is a stunning testament to both his own genius and to the development of that unique popular art form--the cinema.

Genres: Biography, Film, History, Nonfiction, Art

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 24, 1974

About the author

Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE (April 16, 1889 - December 25, 1977) was an English comedian actor and film director.

Chaplin became one of the most famous actors as well as a notable filmmaker, composer and musician in the early to mid Classical Hollywood era of American cinema. He was famous also for his great sense of humor and slapstick comedy skills.

Reviews

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I worry that Charlie Chaplin is going to be merely a name associated with film history rather than a persona and character enjoyed by filmgoers in the modern era. This would be such a shame, as his films are not only historically important, but are filmed with such warmth and joy. These characteristics really shine through in this book, which is a compilation of photos and other graphic elements associated with Chaplin's films and career. Images like these illustrate the growth and maturation of Chaplin as a performer and an artist, and offer an invaluable archive of some of cinema's most treasured classics. In addition, Chaplin's own captioning is phenomenal and interesting. Written towards the twilight of his life, the captions show a remarkable nostalgia and earnest consideration of Chaplin's life as it once was. He is sad and yet hopeful about his own past films, wives, and life, aiming to be honest in his look back over his life while not sugar-coating any of it nor looking at it too dismally. What we have here is really a visual reminiscence by one of the cinema's greatest figures. The volume maybe offers little in the way of insights into film, cinematic technique, or theory, but offers and enchanting and empathetic view of one of it's greatest masters. This makes not only for fantastic reading, but phenomenal viewing as well.

[Auntiecatherine]

My Life In Pictures by Charles Chaplin (1974)

[DP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I acquired this along with about a dozen other titles written either by or about Charlie Chaplin. I started with this one, since it was primarily photographs. I loved that it was like looking through a photo album with Chaplin telling what each photo meant, etc. There are typed comments by him on nearly all of the photos and images contained in this book. It is arranged chronologically from his early life, his various studio associations and contracts, his own picture production years, and finally, the latter years with his family with fourth wife Oona. The last photo of him is a few short years before his death in 1977 (I think that's right). This will be a book that I return to again, but for now, it's on to my many other titles about him. Next up will be the autobiography of his eldest son, Charles Chaplin, Jr. I want to read what others say about him before I return to bookend things with Chaplin's own autobiography, as people often don't reveal their full selves in such memoirs.

[Dipa Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great one

[Ess Most · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it loads

[TriCedratops · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book with gorgeous full-page photos from the personal archives and scrapbooks of Chaplin's, along with commentary from the man himself. A must-have for fans and collectors.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some amazing images, including many I had never seen before. The captions are written by Chaplin and featured some insights that I hadn’t read from him in other books. Definitely a must have for the Chaplin super fan like myself!