a book
Charlie Chaplin’s Own Story
Harry M. Geduld · 2019 · 244 pages
Charlie Chaplin once said, "Life is a tragedy when seen in close-up, but a comedy in long shot."
Chaplin released the first of his four autobiographies in 1916 when he was on top of the world. He had just signed to appear in films for Mutual Company for the massive sum of $670,000. Three years earlier, he was earning $150 per week.
However, within weeks of its release, his autobiography was withdrawn by its publisher, and all copies were thought to have been destroyed due to accusations of "ghost-writing" and Chaplin being less than accurate with the truth of his life.
Charlie Chaplin's Own Story covers Chaplin's earliest life through his first brushes with fame and depicts Chaplin as he wished to be seen in 1916. Its naivete and pseudo-Dickensian portrayal of Chaplin's childhood give us an invaluable glimpse into the psyche of the man behind "The Little Tramp."
Honoring the 130th anniversary of Chaplin's birth, this unique edition is illustrated with more than 20 black-and-white photographs. Professor Harry M. Geduld provides a unique and authoritative introduction to Chaplin's earliest theatrical career, which Chaplin himself discussed only sporadically.
recommended by 1 person
sourced from public statements
Suzanne Vega
“I was astonished to realize, relatively recently, that Charlie Chaplin had been a homeless teenager before he became the most famous film artist of his time — and that his character the Little Tramp was based, in part, on his past. As a child watching his films, I was merely entertained, but reading this book, not his “official” biography, (which I find slightly starchy), enlightened me on the daily sufferings and joys of what it was like for him before he became famous. It was published in 1916 — and yet is still so relevant today.”↗