Charlie Chaplin Research Paper

In the 1931 film “City Lights”, Charlie Chaplin “opens our eyes”, so to speak, about how society values trivial elements of people over the deeper person by using blindness. In this film, Chaplin brilliantly mixes lighthearted comedy with deep and complex ideas about problems with society. Chaplin uses music, gags, and a genuine love connection to portray this point in multiple ways throughout the movie. Chaplin also took the bold step of not making a talking movie, even though they were available at the time, making the details in the pictures and sounds he was creating that much more important. What makes “City Lights” so special, and different from other comedies, is Chaplin’s natural blend of comedic scenes with tense and serious scenes. Chaplin weaved together a masterpiece that culminates in the end with the lady seeing who she fell in love with, which is also the moment Chaplin slaps the viewer in the face with the realization that the priorities in society are misguided and that the important things cannot be seen with the eye.

It started out with GW Griffith. He was the director of many movies and short films. His early work in short films “were the first to combine all the new narrative devices, including cross-cutting, multiple camera positions, inter-titles, and close-ups.” (Matthew Hunt) GW Griffith is considered the first modern director. A household comedian name Charlie Chaplin was a very early actor in the history of cinema. Originally Charlie Kaplan was in London but around 1910 he immigrated to America. In America Charlie Chaplin starred in many silent movies. One of the movies he is most well-known for is “the tramp” this movie gained him worldwide popularity and became the world’s most recognizable actor. Soon GW Griffith noticed and began to work with Charlie Chaplin. After creating some more films “Chaplin founded the independent studio United Artists in 1919.” (Matthew Hunt) between 1908 in 1911 there was a very short period called the Brazilian cinema. During the short time some very popular productions were

Charlie Chaplin, or the “Little Tramp”, led a life many referred to as a Cinderella story. Chaplin was the son of a poor London family, who were entertainers. As a child, at an early age, he also performed, and made his stage debut in 1894. He began his career when he played a paperboy in the film Sherlock Holmes. He also worked as a mime in Vaudeville theatres in London, until he left for America. When Chaplin arrived in the States, he joined the Karno Pantomime Troupe, and toured with them for six years. This experience led him to branch out on his own, making his own films. One of these films was City Lights. Many say that this film and others, lead him to be one the most successful film stars of his time. “Chaplin dedicated himself to perfecting every scene during both the writing process and on set, sacrificing his personal life during production” (Eggert, 2006).

Before becoming one of the most iconic figures in silent film, D.W. Griffith failed as an actor and writer. If it wasn’t for a friend, Griffith wouldn’t have even worked at Biograph. In fact, Griffith had no training in film prior to Biograph. That is what makes his legacy so fascinating. Griffith was ambitious to act and write, but found his true identity in directing. Without any prior knowledge of directing, Griffith rose to fame, creating over 450 films, revolutionized film with his use of parallel editing, and was responsible for defining the Classical Hollywood Style of film.

Carnegie came from humble beginnings, but through his extraordinary vision he would become the richest man on the planet and would display idealized influence and inspirational motivation through his philanthropic endeavors, inspiring the nation’s richest to give to charities through the use of foundations. Carnegie was born in Scotland and moved to U.S with his family in 1848 when he was 12 years old. His father attempted to start a weaving business in America, but failed, leaving Carnegie to work in a mill for $1.20 a week (Goldin, 1988, p. 13). Carnegie would go to on to build a fortune worth almost $450 million by making investments and building a technologically advanced steel making process at a time when the U.S was using steel

This further demonstrates how the affluence of that period enabled people to support this industry and help its enormous growth. It was during the roaring 20s that the first real celebrities began to appear, with the ever-increasing role of cinema having a huge role to play. Similarly their fame contributed to the growing status of Hollywood and the American film industry. (Source J). Charlie Chaplin is one example of an actor that gained worldwide recognition in the twenties; he was particularly famous for his ‘highly visual style of acting’ (Soucre J). The 1920s was often referred to as “The Golden Age of Hollywood” (Source G) emphasizing how this period represents the era of greatest output in the United States movie market [an average of 800 films were produced annually]. ‘The cinema came of age in the 1920s and Hollywood confirmed its position as the “dream factory” of the English- speaking world. It was there that fame and fortune could be found.’ (Source J) This also highlights the growing image of Hollywood ‘throughout the roaring 20s, which started to represent wealth and achievement. ‘The establishment of the Academy Awards showed the maturing cinema as an industry confident of its own technical and artistic standards.’ (Source J) This further shows how there were many other expansions and transformations from this industry that occurred during this period. Artists, directors and other personalities of the film making industry received acknowledgement and recognition of their work in this industry. ‘The awards soon acquired international status’ (Source J) showing how Hollywood’s film industry developed into a global sensation that was supported by people all over

Orson Welles was born on the 6th of May in 1915 and died in 1985, on the 10th of October. He used to play magic, paint, and play the piano as a child, a later on he found himself directing, producing, writing and acting. Orson Welles performed in Romeo and Juliet, and started a radio career at the same time in 1934.

Charlie Parker was one of most influential and important alto saxophonist of the 1940’s. He was born on August 29 1920, Kansas City, to Charles and Addie Parker. Kansas City at the time was one of the hottest jazz spots in the country and it is where he found his place in the world. Through his unusual way of playing the saxophone, he permanently changed jazz.

The 1920s in America is often regarded as a decade of debauchery, characterized by glamorous gangsters and fashionable flappers, and its decadent reputation is largely deserved. The glitzy image of the “Roaring Twenties” primarily arose from the influx of bootlegged alcohol incited by the Eighteenth Amendment (Prohibition) and the film industry driving a newfound boom in pop culture.

He demonstrated that a capacity to grasp the essence of America's attitude about work, family, social life success in historical circumstances. He was the most influential during the Great Depression to World War 2 and Cold War and other aspects of American history (Rosa Sanmartin). The reason he was so impactful during this time was everyone was going through difficult times and he was able to make people feel better through his films.

Chaplin affirms that one of the main reasons for his success is that he makes films that portray what an audience wants to see. “Even the most inoffensive of us has sometime or other conceived the grotesque idea of pulling those millionaire whiskers––just a fleeting, absurd idea” (Chaplin 6), states Chaplin. As the audience has an innate desire to see a high-class business man lose their composure and status, they also have a desire to see hope in dire situations. The same

     Chaplin’s initial salary was one-hundred and fifty dollars a week. In February of 1914, he debuted on the big screen starring in “Making a Living”. Surprisingly, the film was considered bad at the time of its release (“Biography for Charles Chaplin”). His next film, however, changed his career forever. It was called “Kid Auto Races at Venice”. The film starred Chaplin as a homeless man who appeared undersized and undernourished. He was nicknamed “the Little Tramp” or “the Little Fellow” by audiences (“Biography for Charles Chaplin” ; “Charlie Chaplin” 376).

Many authors, critics, and everyday social readers define Ernest Hemingway as the prime example of 20th century American literature. Hemingway’s works transcend time itself, so that even readers today analyze and criticize his works. His works, of course, have drawn praises and animosity from all corners of the globe. Critics often applause Hemingway on his short simple prose, for which many people recognize him for. His writing builds upon the masterful usage of “short, simple words and short, simple sentences” (Wagner, 3) to create clear and easy to

Every day millions of Americans go to theaters with their families to enjoy movies. Watching films has become one of the most popular activities to do. Although plenty of people know of Charlie Chaplin, most do not know any real information about him. Charlie Chaplin has been a major contributor to America’s advancement in the film industry from his innovative beginnings, and perseverance to improve and succeed, to his overall achievements in history.

The film remains Chaplin's one of the greatest achievements and it remains one of his popular film. (Back story source- Wikipedia)