1972 : CHAPLIN RECEIVES OSCAR:
As part of his first visit to the United States in 20 years, British
film pioneer Charlie Chaplin accepts an honorary Academy Award for his
"incalculable" contribution to the art of filmmaking. Chaplin, once
America's most successful movie star and director, had left the
country under a storm of controversy in 1952.
Born in London, England, in 1889, Chaplin was the son of music-hall
performers, and he appeared onstage from a young age. His father later
died, and his mother was put in a mental institution, leading to a
rough childhood that ended when Chaplin joined his half-brother's
vaudeville troupe at the age of 17. Mack Sennett, the innovator of
U.S. slapstick movie comedy, discovered Chaplin during a U.S.
appearance by the vaudeville troupe. In 1913, he was signed to appear
in movies produced by Sennett's Keystone Company.
In his second picture, Kid Auto Races at Venice (1914), Chaplin
originated the character that would make him famous--the "Little
Tramp." The tramp wore a derby hat, neatly kept moustache, baggy
trousers, and cane, and affected a bowlegged walk in his oversize
shoes. He was an underdog hero, beloved by moviegoers, and Chaplin
would play him in more than 70 films. In the era of silent film,
slapstick was king, and Chaplin was a master of physical comedy. He
became one of the most recognized U.S. personalities and commanded
increasingly high salaries. He soon took to directing his own movies
and, with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith, founded
United Artists in 1919 so he could have greater control over his
projects.
Chaplin directed, starred in, wrote, produced, and composed the music
for his feature-length comedies, including The Kid (1921), The Gold
Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), and The Great
Dictator (1940). These films addressed social and political issues of
the day, which, seen through the eyes of the Little Tramp, appeared a
little sharper. After the advent of sound in the late 1920s, Chaplin
appeared less often in movies, but his fame continued to grow as his
films won new audiences and became recognized as motion picture
classics.
Away from the camera, Chaplin's personal life often drew sensational
headlines. He was married four times, three times to his leading
ladies, and in 1943 was accused by another woman of fathering her
child. That year, in another controversial move, he married Oona
O'Neill, the 18-year-old daughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill.
Chaplin was 54. Chaplin's political views were also criticized, as was
his failure to apply for U.S. citizenship. Pressed for back taxes and
accused of supporting subversive causes by McCarthy-era America,
Chaplin left the United States in 1952. Informed that he would not
necessarily be welcomed back, he retorted, "I wouldn't go back there
if Jesus Christ were president," and surrendered his re-entry permit
in Switzerland. He lived with his family at Corsier-sur-Vevey,
Switzerland, and made several more films.
In April 1972, he did return to the United States for a visit and
accepted an honorary Oscar. He had previously won an honorary Academy
Award, in 1929 for The Circus (1928). In 1975, Queen Elizabeth II
knighted him. He died on December 25, 1977.
history.com/tdih.do
film pioneer Charlie Chaplin accepts an honorary Academy Award for his
"incalculable" contribution to the art of filmmaking. Chaplin, once
America's most successful movie star and director, had left the
country under a storm of controversy in 1952.
Born in London, England, in 1889, Chaplin was the son of music-hall
performers, and he appeared onstage from a young age. His father later
died, and his mother was put in a mental institution, leading to a
rough childhood that ended when Chaplin joined his half-brother's
vaudeville troupe at the age of 17. Mack Sennett, the innovator of
U.S. slapstick movie comedy, discovered Chaplin during a U.S.
appearance by the vaudeville troupe. In 1913, he was signed to appear
in movies produced by Sennett's Keystone Company.
In his second picture, Kid Auto Races at Venice (1914), Chaplin
originated the character that would make him famous--the "Little
Tramp." The tramp wore a derby hat, neatly kept moustache, baggy
trousers, and cane, and affected a bowlegged walk in his oversize
shoes. He was an underdog hero, beloved by moviegoers, and Chaplin
would play him in more than 70 films. In the era of silent film,
slapstick was king, and Chaplin was a master of physical comedy. He
became one of the most recognized U.S. personalities and commanded
increasingly high salaries. He soon took to directing his own movies
and, with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith, founded
United Artists in 1919 so he could have greater control over his
projects.
Chaplin directed, starred in, wrote, produced, and composed the music
for his feature-length comedies, including The Kid (1921), The Gold
Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), and The Great
Dictator (1940). These films addressed social and political issues of
the day, which, seen through the eyes of the Little Tramp, appeared a
little sharper. After the advent of sound in the late 1920s, Chaplin
appeared less often in movies, but his fame continued to grow as his
films won new audiences and became recognized as motion picture
classics.
Away from the camera, Chaplin's personal life often drew sensational
headlines. He was married four times, three times to his leading
ladies, and in 1943 was accused by another woman of fathering her
child. That year, in another controversial move, he married Oona
O'Neill, the 18-year-old daughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill.
Chaplin was 54. Chaplin's political views were also criticized, as was
his failure to apply for U.S. citizenship. Pressed for back taxes and
accused of supporting subversive causes by McCarthy-era America,
Chaplin left the United States in 1952. Informed that he would not
necessarily be welcomed back, he retorted, "I wouldn't go back there
if Jesus Christ were president," and surrendered his re-entry permit
in Switzerland. He lived with his family at Corsier-sur-Vevey,
Switzerland, and made several more films.
In April 1972, he did return to the United States for a visit and
accepted an honorary Oscar. He had previously won an honorary Academy
Award, in 1929 for The Circus (1928). In 1975, Queen Elizabeth II
knighted him. He died on December 25, 1977.
history.com/tdih.do
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