Charlie Chaplin | Hollywood Yesterday

Charlie Chaplin vs America by Scott Eyman (Review of a Fascinating Biography!)

October 20, 2023 By Joi

Charlie Chaplin vs America by Scott Eyman (Amazon link)

As I often say, I love reading old Hollywood biographies and autobiographies as much as I love watching old movies – and that is truly saying something.

I especially love it when a biography is as edge-of-your-seat spellbinding as a Boris Karloff film, as compelling as a Humphrey Bogart film, and as fascinating as old school Godzilla.

Are you kidding me? Sign me up to read this type of biography every single week!

I also love doing old Hollywood biography book reviews as much as I love watching old movies, and that isn’t just saying something, that’s saying everything.

After reading this particular biography, I was reminded of a question someone asked me many years ago… “Does reading a biography or a star ever make you less of a fan of their work if you read negative things OR, on the flip side, make you more a fan if you read positive things?”

I thought it was a great question THEN and, over the years, as I’ve read countless biographies and autobiographies (which, well, you know… tend to point out that these were actual blood and bone human beings!) I think it’s a great question NOW.

Here’s the answer, bullet-point style, because I love bullet points like I invented them:

I may lose or gain respect for an individual after reading more about them. Case in point, I gained more respect for Ann Dvorak and Olivia de Havilland after reading all that they fought against.
I may even like a star more or less, on a personal level after “meeting them” through the pages of a great biography. Example: I honestly like Cary Grant even better after reading a biography by the author of this particular Charlie Chaplin bio, Scott Eyman.
I NEVER judge people.. I leave that to the One who is actually able to so lovingly and accordingly. If we haven’t walked in their shoes, we surely cannot tell them how they should have stepped or in which direction they should have pointed their feet. (In the same vein… I absolutely detest a judgmental attitude.. one of the ugliest traits in a human in my opinion).
Something I always remind people, too, is never draw conclusions from one book (especially if it’s one old Hollywood star about another… sometimes emotions get in the way of accuracy!). If it’s a thorough book, by an exceptional author, sure… draw conclusions from that. But, even then, to get the most accurate profile of an individual, the best thing to do is to read quotes by them, quotes about them, and as many books on the star as you can find.
I am able to enjoy an actor’s, actress’, or directors work without so much as thinking a single time, “He was a scoundrel…,” “She was a terrible mom!”, or “What a nasty tempered director he was! Never watching his work again!” Please. People who say things like that need to get out more.

Scott Eyman’s Definitive Charlie Chaplin Biography

I’ve read a great, great deal about Charlie Chaplin, as he is one of my favorite stars. His films, his acting, his passion, and the man, himself, fascinate me. Always have.

I realized just how exceptional Charlie Chaplin vs America by Scott Eyman (Amazon link) was when, after finishing the last page, I found myself more fascinated by him than ever.

Was he perfect? Heck no… but where’s the fascination in that? To be fascinated by someone is to mean you wonder what made them tick, what made them act the way they did or say the things they said, how did they go from “where they started” to “where they ended” – things like that.

I am, truth be told, often even fascinated by their weaknesses. I always ask myself, “How can someone who was such a genius about this and that be so blitheringly wrong about so many other things??” Like so many stars, Charlie Chaplin often (quite often) got in his own way.

If it were to come down to a contest between Ann Dvorak and Charlie Chaplin over who got in their own way the most, I think I’d give her the edge, but that’s just because her self-harming choices (which only affected her I might add) harmed her career more. Our dear Chaplin managed to have a successful career and is, to this day, a household name in spite of his terrible.. okay, very terrible.. weaknesses and misfires.

There were many times, while reading this wonderfully engaging biography, that I had to simply close the book to process what I’d read. The research that went into this definitive biography astounds me and I would imagine that the author had, himself, many times he had to pause and process what he was uncovering. Eyman paints as perfect a profile of an individual any one person can of another in the pages of this extraordinary book and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone interested in old Hollywood, silent films, biographies.. and, most certainly, to other fans of Charlie Chaplin’s work.

The actor was an absolute genius and I cannot imagine either silent films or comedies without what he meant to either.

Many times – MANY TIMES – while reading Charlie Chaplin vs America, I thought of one of my all-time favorite quotes. It’s from Mary Pickford, about Charlie Chaplin, and it couldn’t possibly sum up this particular actor any better: “That obstinate, suspicious, egocentric, maddening and lovable genius of a problem child.”

Charlie Chaplin vs America by Scott Eyman (Amazon link) will be available on Halloween Day – October 31, 2023 and I think the timing would amuse Chaplin. He may have been a problem child, as his friend Mary Pickford said, but by gosh he was a fascinating one.

You’re going to love this book,

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Charlie Chaplin vs America by Scott Eyman (Amazon link)

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin: The Closing Shot of Modern Times

September 9, 2020 By Joi

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times

Modern Times – written and directed by Charlie Chaplin – is one of the cutest, most entertaining silent films ever made, in my opinion. The film stars the great Charlie Chaplin and the equally wonderful Paulette Goddard.

This was actually meant to be Charles Chaplin’s first talkie. He even went as far as writing a script (with dialogue) and experimented with sound. However, because the film was going to feature Charlie Chaplin’s much-loved Little Tramp character, a silent film made much more sense – sound seemed inappropriate for the little guy!

I think they made the ABSOLUTE right decision – even though the film was made in 1936, it needed to be a silent.

You know a film is extra special when even an unplanned moment shows up in the final scene’s screenshot. The photo above is beautiful for many reasons – it’s, frankly, just a gorgeous shot. For those of us who watch and love Charlie Chaplin, we see it as “vintage Chaplin.” He had an eye for the grand scheme of things and the beauty of this shot and moment is just what one comes to expect from the genius.

I love the way they’re walking off – side by side into the wide open world, a world of possibilities, adventures, and hope. I love how he is there, in all of his adorable Tramp splendor, with a trusting and lovely lady by his side. I love the contrast of their hats and that his crazy shoes are pointing in opposite directions!

There’s something extra special if you look closely enough (something I excel at – I swear, I stare at and mentally dissect every old Hollywood photo in existence!). See the shadow on the ground of the Little Tramp’s bag?

The shape of a heart.

When loveliness happens by happenstance, you know you’re into something magical

If you’ve never seen Modern Times, I hope you’ll make a point of seeing it soon. These two stars are outstanding and downright delightful in every way – especially together. You can order the Modern Times (Amazon link) dvd on Amazon or watch it now on Prime Video.

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin, Modern Times (1936)

February 15, 2020 By Joi

Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin

I love this picture almost as much as I love the film Modern Times (1936). Makes an adorable Picture of the Day! If you’ve never seen this film, I hope you’ll find it soon and have a look.

I think you’ll fall in love with both Paulette and Charlie. It’s darn near impossible not to.

Georgia Hale: “He (Charlie Chaplin) Made My Heart Laugh for the First Time..”

June 25, 2019 By Joi

Georgia Hale

In Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Close-Ups, beautiful silent film actress, Georgia Hale, writes STRAIGHT from the heart about her own life as well as her relationship with the genius known the world over, Charlie Chaplin. I’m working on my review of this book and will publish it later this week – in honor of the week of her birth in 1900. I say “the week” simply because there’s a little discrepancy over the exact date. Her autobiography gives the date as June 25, 1900 – and, as a Georgia Hale fan, that’s the date I recognize as her birthday. However, other dates are given in biographies found online.

Bottom line… even if she was born on another date, I will recognize the one of her choosing.

There is one particular piece I wanted to share from the book today. I will share a great deal more in the upcoming review, but today is for something special. Something different. Something… well.. beautiful – and possibly even relatable to many.

I have heard many fans say things along the lines of, “Katharine Hepburn saved my life…” or “Becoming an Ava Gardner fan gave me hope…” Obviously it isn’t always these two actresses – I’ve seen the same types of beautiful testimonies for everyone from Buster Keaton to Audrey Hepburn and countless others in between.

Georgia Hale would be able to relate to each and every one.

Georgia’s childhood was not a particularly happy one. While it wasn’t as tragic as many stars’ childhoods, happiness eluded her. Her father was not a very loving parent and it seems possible that both parents favored other children. Georgia seems to have been, devastatingly, left out.

She also didn’t fit in with most of the kids her age. Due to circumstances at home, she developed a rather melancholy (even moody) disposition that, obviously, didn’t exactly draw others to her. This proved to be yet another source of pain for the beautiful young girl. One of the breaking points for young Georgia was when her dad yelled at her, “What’s wrong with you? I wish you’d been born a boy!”

If she had much spirit left, these words crushed it.

Immediately after his outburst, Georgia walked out of the house and went to the movies. Along the way, she writes that his hurtful words kept ringing in her ears. “I heard this for years. I found myself wishing that I had never been born… at all.”

This mindset was about to change.

“When I reached the ‘Bona-Venture’ the show had started. I crept into the dark theatre. Finally, the main feature, the comedy started. Onto the screen came a funny little fellow. He was a pathetic character, like the rest of us. His clothes were castoffs and much too large for his small frame. His shoes were way out in front of his feet. He did wear a collar and a tie, but no shirt, and on his head a classy, dirty derby. His hand whirled a cane, jauntily, as if in defiance of his lot.”

She noted how he kept going about his busy little life, joyfully, in spite of troubles, his fate, or even bullies. She recounts how everyone in the audience was cheering and laughing…”But I saw something different, something invisible. I FELT something beautiful. A gentle beam of light had stolen into my dark world.”

After the movie was over, she left the theatre and ran ahead of the other kids. “I wanted to be alone. I wanted to hold it closely. Charlie Chaplin had said something to me… he had spoken to me directly…. he made my heart laugh for the first time.”

When actors and actresses make films, they have NO idea the number of lives they are touching – or how profoundly some may feel the touch. When Georgia Hale writes, “A gentle beam of light had stolen into my dark world,” I wonder how many other fans have felt the exact thing she felt – and so beautifully described.

As a tribute to Georgia on her birthday (the one of her choosing, perhaps), I wanted to share her beautiful words. Given that they are words about a man she spent nearly half of her life loving, I believe it’d make her very happy.

Read my review of this very special book: Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Close-Ups by Georgia Hale

Review – “Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry)”

June 17, 2019 By Joi

A few months ago, I struck gold. I entered a contest on Classic Movie Hub for a chance to win a children’s Charlie Chaplin book – Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry). Since I collect all things Charlie Chaplin and, more importantly, have a precious 18 month old grand-baby (Maddox) who means the world to me, I hoped like crazy that I’d win.

I did!

I love reading to Maddox and absolutely LOVE sharing with him something that I am so passionate about – Old Hollywood. We watch old movies together (he loves musicals, Lewis & Martin, and Abbott & Costello best) and, now, have a book we can enjoy together. And do we ever! The story is entertaining and fun and the illustrations are deliciously unique. They’re colorful and include fun images to hold a child’s attention. The way the book is presented is extra special and original – much like Mr. Chaplin, himself.

This is a children’s book that will grow with a child. While very young, they can enjoy the big bright pictures and the (*pats self on back) wonderfully entertaining voices an adult uses while reading. When older, they’ll enjoy the wonderful story – and gain more from the lessons involved.

For collectors, like myself, they’ll get an extra kick out of the beautiful addition to their collection.

(Continued Below the Beautiful Illustrations)

But there’s more to this book than meets the eye. When you’re a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or anyone blessed with children in their life, you notice things others may overlook.

There are a few especially beautiful things in “Smile” that one might not expect from a colorful and fun children’s book…

When sharing the story with a child, this book gives an adult the perfect opportunity to stress the importance of being yourself. Charlie Chaplin did not pattern himself after other people – he created his own pattern! And what a pattern it was. By doing his own thing and creating his own identity, he became a legend. His name is known the world over. If you’re always trying to fit in, how are you ever going to stand out??
Something else I love about this book is the opportunity to talk about emotions. Sometimes we are happy, for no reason. Other times, something or someone (like, say, a little Tramp??) makes us happy. Sometimes we’re sad, for no reason. Other times, something or someone makes us sad. They’re emotions and there isn’t anything wrong with them. It’s all part of “feeling” and that’s all part of life.
There is a bonding that takes place when you sit beside a child (or with them in your lap while they’re still small enough) and share a book. I noticed it with my three daughters when they were little and I notice it with Maddox. The time spent is beautiful for all involved and creates lasting, wonderful memories.
There are only GREAT things to be said for raising children who love books and think of reading as one of their favorite things. Books are competing with a lot of things these days and few of these things, if any, offer the benefits of reading. We have to all do our part to make sure books stay exciting and enjoyable to our children.

Last of all – and, admittedly of less importance than the benefits to a child and the adult’s relationship with him/her – I have to point out the importance of keeping Old Hollywood and its stars alive and relevant. Silent movies, the Golden Age of Hollywood, musicals, old comedians (SO much better than today’s – sorry, but it’s the truth), and all of the wonderful men and women involved should be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.

That’s where we come in.

It’s not enough to enjoy, collect, and talk about them among ourselves. We need to reach out to future generations and draw them in. All we have to do is introduce them to the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Lucille Ball, Shirley Temple, Judy Garland, Abbot & Costello, Lewis & Martin, Fred and Ginger… once these stars have their attention, they’ll take it from there.

They won’t be able to help falling in love with them.

If you collect Charlie Chaplin books and/or have children in your life, this is most definitely a book you’ll want to check out. See Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry) for more information!

The picture above? That’s one of my fur babies, Gueenie, sleeping comfortably on this wonderful book. If you’re new to my Old Hollywood Book Reviews, one of my cats is almost always involved during the photo session! They love to be the center of attention, so…. here they come in all of their glory. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Wonderful Georgia Hale Quote About Charlie Chaplin (A Man She Spent a Lifetime Loving)

May 16, 2019 By Joi

I’ll be writing more about Georgia Hale’s Biography/Autobiography, “Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Close-Ups” in future posts. I cherish this particular book a great deal. Not only are Georgia Hale and Charlie Chaplin two of my personal favorites, it’s very difficult to get my hands on Georgia Hale information, photographs, or collectibles. Her career (while dazzling) was very, very brief and there simply isn’t a lot out there.

Needless to say, this book is a very prized possession. It’s a wonder I don’t keep it under lock and key!

For those who may not know, Georgia Hale loved Charlie Chaplin a great deal. She spent most of her adult life loving him. They never married and the extent of his affections for Georgia can only be guessed at. He seemed to have a great deal of affection for her, on one hand, but on the other hand? Wedding rings… to other women.

As I often say on this Old Hollywood blog, I am not here to judge, nor would I ever attempt to. There had to be something strong and very real in their relationship or Georgia simply wouldn’t have loved him as strongly as she did. This much I’m certain of.

You know, unlike Georgia, a lot is written about Charlie Chaplin. Sadly, it isn’t all favorable. However, within one quote in her book, Georgia has (in my opinion) tied all the pieces of his complex and beguiling personality together…. as, really, only she could.

I can’t possibly even BEGIN to tell you how much I love this quote about Charlie Chaplin by Georgia Hale: “If Charles Chaplin carried within him many contradictions, was tender-hearted, cruel, sensitive, child-like, a poseur, all of these qualities were part of his creative spirit.”

When I first read this quote, it struck me that this type of approach could be taken with many of our favorite Old Hollywood actors and actresses. So many of these wonderful stars behaved and even thought along some pretty original and inexplicable lines. Yet… the qualities we can’t often get our heads around are, as Georgia so eloquently said, part of their creative spirit.

Georgia Hale and Charlie Chaplin in The Gold Rush

Georgia Hale: A Beautiful Actress with a Short, But Memorable, Film Career

April 7, 2019 By Joi

Georgia Hale landed one of the lead roles in Charlie Chaplin’s film The Gold Rush (1925) when her friend Lita Grey, originally cast in the role, became pregnant and had to back out. The role won her instant star status. Her previous roles had either been uncredited or she was simply known as “the girl.”

Following The Gold Rush, Georgia appeared in a mere 12 films before leaving acting. Her last role was in a Rin-Tin-Tin “serial” (The Lightning Warrior, 1939).

Georgia Theodora Hale was born on June 27, 1900 in St. Joseph, Missouri. She won a beauty contest in Chicago in 1922 and used the award money to move to New York City, hoping to break into theater. When she was unsuccessful in theater, rather than thinking, “I can’t do this…” and heading back home, Georgia simply decided to move to Hollywood and give them a chance to cash in on what theater was obviously missing.

I LOVE her “lemons to lemonade” approach.

In Hollywood, Georgia immediately found work in By Divine Right (1924), and she danced in the chorus of Vanity’s Price (1924). Her big break came with Chaplin’s The Gold Rush, turning in a memorable and wonderful performance as a gorgeous dance hall girl who catches the little tramp’s eye and wins his heart.

“I feel rich for having been so close to him.” ~ Georgia Hale (About Charlie Chaplin)

The Gold Rush, understandably, was a big hit, and launched Georgia to instant fame. It is, in fact, Charlie Chaplin’s favorite movie he made. The best part of the film, from Georgia’s standpoint would be the fact that a very long, very close relationship developed between herself and Charlie Chaplin. Her love for him kept her from ever marrying. In her heart, it appears, she believed she was “spoken for.” Ironically (and very sadly, in my opinion), Chaplin had many other relationships and married more than once.

Georgia Hale was signed by Paramount Pictures and found herself in another hit, The Great Gatsby in 1926. In The Great Gatsby, she played the role of Myrtle Wilson. The cast included Warner Baxter, Lois Wilson, Neil Hamilton (best known as the Commissioner Gordon in the Batman TV series) and future STAR (all caps) William Powell.

Georgia’s last silent picture was The Last Moment in 1928.

Georgia Hale’s last movie was a 12 episode Rin-Tin-Tin serial titled The Lighting Warrior in 1931. There are many stars I frantically wish had been in more films (Claire Trevor is one that comes to mind), but none more so than Georgia Hale. Though it’s really tough, I try not to make comparisons among stars of yesterday and today, but in this case it’s so obvious to me, I can’t help myself. Georgia Hale often reminds me of an exquisite combination of Barbara Stanwyck and Keira Knightley.

Great trick to pull of if you have the goods to do so!

Georgia wrote two versions of her autobiography (as well as a fictional love story) but had difficulty finding a publisher for her writing. Ten years after her death, a publisher published her book, Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Closeups. Click the link to find this book on Amazon (I just threw it into my shopping cart with wild abandon!).

After leaving Hollywood (she wasn’t one of the lucky ones who transitioned from Silents to Talkies), she wrote and eventually went into Real Estate. Apparently, her real estate ventures made her quite wealthy!

She was a stunning, bright light that didn’t shine long (onscreen, that is) but shined very brightly.

Georgia Hale died on June 7, 1985 in Hollywood, California at the age of 84.

UPDATE: I now have Georgia’s wonderful book Charlie Chaplin: Intimate Closeups in my possession and I cherish it as much as gold would have been cherished in her most famous film. I’ll soon be writing much more about both Georgia Hale and the man she spent a lifetime adoring, Charlie Chaplin.

Watch The Gold Rush below (or on YouTube). I love this wonderful Silent Film!