Charlie Chaplin : What are the best books to read on Chaplin?

What are the best books to read on Chaplin?

I'm very interested in learning more about him, but with so many boo b68 ks, I'd like to know which ones are worth reading?

Defeat awkwardness with maximum ridiculosity.

Re: What are the best books to read on Chaplin?

If you're prepared to read a large, in-depth biography that deals with his entire life, David Robinson's CHAPLIN: HIS LIFE AND ART is considered the definitive book. First published in 1985, Robinson was the first biographer to have access to Chaplin's personal archives, and all later biographies on Chaplin have borrowed heavily from him. However, be aware that Robinson is mostly interested in verifiable facts; little time is spent on analyzing Chaplin's "art" as such.

For a portrayal of Chaplin as a human being and father, Charles Chaplin Jr. wrote a touching book in the early 60s, MY FATHER CHARLIE CHAPLIN.

If you've seen the majority of Chaplin's films, and are 5b4 mostly interested in reading about his art, Kyp Harness has written one rather little-known but excellent and thought-provoking book entitled THE ART OF CHARLIE CHAPLIN: A FILM-BY-FILM ANALYSIS (2007). It should be stressed that Harness' book is entirely devoted to Chaplin's films, though, and as such is NOT a biography, per se. Also, I recommend watching all of his major films before reading this one.

Chaplin's own MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY from 1964 still stands as a must-read to any Chaplin-fan; the first 12 chapters or so (out of about 30) that deal with his early years are captivating, and really brings the late-Victorian era back to life. Many readers seem to think that the book tends to drag a bit once Chaplin has become a celebrity, though I've found it well worth to read all the way through.

Lastly, I recommend AVOIDING the books CHARLIE CHAPLIN AND HIS TIMES by Kenneth Lynn and TRAMP: THE LIFE OF CHARLIE CHAPLIN by Joyce Milton, as both authors seem eager to present Chaplin in a bad light whenever possible, at all costs.

Re: What are the best books to read on Chaplin?

After looking into it outside IMDb, My Autobiography and Chaplin: His Life and Art were the ones I decided to pick up. Glad to have some confirmation that they were a good choice! Thanks!

Defeat awkwardness with maximum ridiculosity.

Re: What are the best books to read on Chaplin?

David Robinson's biography is excellent. It's an in-depth look at Chaplin's life and times. He captures the legendary and contradictory figure brilliantly. Chaplin was a complex figure; arrogant, humble, egotistical, and generous.

Re: What are the best books to read on Chaplin?

I agree that David Robinson's one is the best. It's meticulously researched and balanced.

Not sure what to make of Chaplin's autobiography. It's well written, but is it truthful?

Haven't read the others. The one by his son sounds interesting.

Re: What are the best books to read on Chaplin?

Thanks for the recommendations. They do seem like good books.

Re: What are the best books to read on Chaplin?

I don't know if this is true but I heard that Charlie Chaplin actually once joined a "Charlie Chaplin Lookalike Contest" and in it, He actually came in 3rd Place.
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