Charlie Chaplin was born in London on April 16, 1889. “Who’s that?” you ask? Chaplin was an actor and director, especially famous for his Tramp character. He started in silent movies, and his first “sound” movie, City Lights, used only Chaplin’s music and some sound effects. In fact, the Tramp’s voice was only heard in the 1936 film Modern Times (and then in a song near the end of the film).
Honor Chaplin’s birthday by enjoying some of his movies! Andersen Library has City Lights and Modern Times in DVD format (2nd-floor Feature Film DVDs, in title order). In VHS format we have The Gold Rush (2nd-floor VHS PN1995.9.C55 G65 1992) and The Great Dictator (2nd-floor VHS PN1997 .G725 1992).
For more information, search HALCat, the Library’s online catalog, to find books such as Chaplin: Genius of the cinema (3rd-floor Main OVERSIZE Collection, PN2287.C5 V34 2003). He also appears in reference works such as American icons: An encyclopedia of the people, places, and things that have shaped our culture (2nd-floor Reference Collection, E169.1 .A472155 2006). Search article databases to find articles such as “Even a Tramp can dream: An examination of the clash between “high art” and “low art” in the films of Charlie Chaplin” (Studies in Popular Culture, Fall 2009, vol.32:no.1, pp.103-116)
Please ask a librarian for assistance with finding materials.
