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The Real Charlie Chaplin documentary - Sky Arts

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Chestnut Fri 20-Oct-23 14:46:03

I've seen programmes about him before which were fascinating. I was astonished to learn as a youngster his mother was in an asylum and he was in a London work house. His early life was tragic and difficult, but sometimes that is what makes people rise to the heights they do. There were two movies which were also good, Chaplin (Robert Downey Jnr) and Young Charlie Chaplin where Twiggy was surprisingly good as his mother. I expect there are many more, but I enjoyed those two.

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PinkCosmos Fri 20-Oct-23 13:32:54

Thanks PaddyAnn, I didn't know that

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paddyann54 Fri 20-Oct-23 13:24:31

Paolo Nutini used the Chaplin Speech on his Iron Sky track .Its brilliant and introduced millions who wouldn't have heard of Chaplin to the man .I know a fair few folk who googled him after hearing the song ....and it works very well within the context of the lyrics

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PinkCosmos Fri 20-Oct-23 13:07:27

I have just watched this documentary on Sky Arts. I think you can get it on catch-up.

It was very well made, intelligent and informative, covering much more than just his acting career.

There was a lot I didn't know, not being alive at the time he was current. He died in 1977

For instance, Chaplin makes a speech at the end of The Great Dictator. The tramp is mistaken for the dictator and taken on stage to make a speech. Much of the speech would be relevant today. What I didn't realise is that Chaplin was asked to repeat the speech at the inauguration of Franklin D Roosevelt.

It is here on YouTube
www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GY1Xg6X20

There are some aspects of Chaplin that I wasn't keen on e.g. his attraction to very young women, but it was a great documentary. 2hrs 18 mins long

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