Unknown truths about Charlie Chaplin
Chaplin had a difficult upbringing in London due to poverty. He was committed to a workhouse twice before the age of nine because his mother was financially unstable and his father was frequently unavailable. His mother was admitted to a psychiatric hospital when he was 14 years old. Chaplin began performing at an early age, first appearing in music halls before moving on to become a stage performer and comedian. He moved to the US when he was 19 after signing with the Fred Karno company. He was discovered for the film industry and started acting for Keystone Studios in 1914.Charlie Chaplin was a famous comedian with great talent and a contagious charm that could captivate anyone’s attention. Let’s look at Unknown truths about Charlie Chaplin
1.Following his passing, Chaplin’s body was stolen
Charlie Chaplin passed away in Switzerland’s Manoir de Ban in 1977 at the age of 88. Over a year after Chaplin’s burial in a Swiss cemetery, two criminals attempted to hold his wife at gunpoint for a ransom of $600,000 by stealing the casket containing his bones. Once the thieves were captured, Chaplin’s remains were brought back to the cemetery, but this time his casket was placed within a concrete wall to prevent any further grave robberies.
2. A communist identity was alleged for Chaplin
All throughout his life, Chaplin was the subject of controversy, but few were as political as the time he was charged with being a communist. In a now-famous episode, none other than George Orwell accused Chaplin of supporting communism and the USSR. Orwell compiled a list of names known as “Orwell’s List” that, in his opinion, were unfit to produce anti-communist propaganda for the British. While being somewhat unimportant, the convoluted altercation was enough to tarnish Chaplin’s reputation.
3. Chaplin was exiled from the country for 20 years until coming back in 1972.
Chaplin’s endearing characters can frequently cause us to ignore his more rebellious side. Chaplin was clearly a contentious person who was seen by some as an unabashed communist. Following his politically engaged life and the infamous “Orwell’s List” incident, Chaplin was basically denied entry to the United States, and the majority of his films were also outlawed there. Around 20 years later, in 1972, when the actor received an honorary Oscar for his lifetime’s work, he would return.
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4.He lost the Charlie Chaplin look-a-like competition
Chaplin participated in the Charlie Chaplin look-a-like competition in 1915. Amazingly, neither the judges nor the crowd realized that he was the actual one! He reportedly finished third, not first, according to the reports.
5.Musician and composer
Even though he never received any music instruction, Chaplin was a fantastic musician and composed the music for several of his own films.
6.He grew to be wealthier than the US president.
The president of the United States received $75,000 annually during this time. Following Chaplin’s agreement with the Mutual Film Corporation of New York in 1916, his hiked salary $670,000.
7.Disney was saved by him.
Disney’s first animated feature film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was released in 1937. Chaplin apparently had his misgivings about Snow White’s financial potential, but Walt Disney encouraged him to finish the project and distribute it. The two developed a business partnership, and Chaplin considerably aided in the expansion of the Disney name.
8.The house of Chaplin was turned into a museum.
The grounds of Chaplin’s estate, Manoir de Ban, would serve as a permanent home for his memory for many years after his passing. A tour of Chaplin’s life and career from his early years to his senior years is available at the Chaplin’s World museum, which opened in 2016. The estate was returned to its original state, keeping the appearance that Chaplin and his family designed.