Chaplin's autobiography?
- bobhopefan1940
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Chaplin's autobiography?
Hello,
To whom ever could help me, I had the chance to pick up this book. I was wondering if anyone here had read it and might recommend it. I flipped through it and it had some wonderful pictures in it...
To whom ever could help me, I had the chance to pick up this book. I was wondering if anyone here had read it and might recommend it. I flipped through it and it had some wonderful pictures in it...
"How strange when an illusion dies. It's as though you've lost a child." --Judy Garland
"To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune." --Charlie Chaplin
"Dumb show is best for screen people, if they must appear in public." --Buster Keaton
"To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune." --Charlie Chaplin
"Dumb show is best for screen people, if they must appear in public." --Buster Keaton
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- bobhopefan1940
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Thanks, I appeciate your oppinion on it. I'm going to pick It up when I go back to the shopMr. Arkadin wrote:I borrowed it from the library a long time ago and read it. It was a good read and I learned a lot.
![Cool 8)](./images/smilies/icon_cool.gif)
"How strange when an illusion dies. It's as though you've lost a child." --Judy Garland
"To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune." --Charlie Chaplin
"Dumb show is best for screen people, if they must appear in public." --Buster Keaton
"To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune." --Charlie Chaplin
"Dumb show is best for screen people, if they must appear in public." --Buster Keaton
I read it too, a long time ago. I remember it being interesting - rather formally written, as Chaplin tended to be in matters about himself.
Bear in mind that he was one of the world's great egomaniacs, and had a difficult time giving anyone one else other than himself credit for anything good in his life. As I recall, he did not name names in many cases, especially in recounting various affairs, and certain business dealings, so if you are really interested, you'll have to read other people's accounts of such incidents in his life.
Nevertheless, he was a man who went places and did things, and he had a very long and eventful life.
I can't remember now if it was Shelly Winters or Hedy Lamarr, in memoirs, who told of attending a party at Chaplin's house, when Chaplin was with Paulette Goddard. His behavior, in the company of his supposed peers, was pretty childish - but then, that's one way to get attention focused on yourself, isn't it?
Bear in mind that he was one of the world's great egomaniacs, and had a difficult time giving anyone one else other than himself credit for anything good in his life. As I recall, he did not name names in many cases, especially in recounting various affairs, and certain business dealings, so if you are really interested, you'll have to read other people's accounts of such incidents in his life.
Nevertheless, he was a man who went places and did things, and he had a very long and eventful life.
I can't remember now if it was Shelly Winters or Hedy Lamarr, in memoirs, who told of attending a party at Chaplin's house, when Chaplin was with Paulette Goddard. His behavior, in the company of his supposed peers, was pretty childish - but then, that's one way to get attention focused on yourself, isn't it?
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Yes, I think it's very important to read autobiographies and regular biogaphies hand in hand because no one wants to think of themselves as bad and some times they tend to "color" the facts a bit (sometimes a GREAT bit).
However, they are often the only people who can tell you what was in their minds when they did something or why they thought of this or that. So they can provide good insight. Just don't take everything they say as gospel truth. The best view is often from multiple points.
However, they are often the only people who can tell you what was in their minds when they did something or why they thought of this or that. So they can provide good insight. Just don't take everything they say as gospel truth. The best view is often from multiple points.
- bobhopefan1940
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Thanks for the posts, guys. I've never read any biographies of stars I like because I fear it will disappoint me... Sometimes I'd just rather watch them on screen, then hear about their personal experiences
If I buy this one, it will be my first.
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
"How strange when an illusion dies. It's as though you've lost a child." --Judy Garland
"To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune." --Charlie Chaplin
"Dumb show is best for screen people, if they must appear in public." --Buster Keaton
"To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune." --Charlie Chaplin
"Dumb show is best for screen people, if they must appear in public." --Buster Keaton
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Chaplin's autobiography is good. But if you want a more 'objective' read about Chaplin, try to get ahold of a book called CHAPLIN, by David Robinson. Robinson is Chaplin's official biographer and had the best access to Chaplin's personal papers as well as sundry relatives. He is sympathetic to Chaplin, but doesn't whitewash anything either.
These two books together will give you a great idea about Chaplin's life.![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
These two books together will give you a great idea about Chaplin's life.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
- bobhopefan1940
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Hi PK! Thanks for the info, I will check it out. ![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
"How strange when an illusion dies. It's as though you've lost a child." --Judy Garland
"To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune." --Charlie Chaplin
"Dumb show is best for screen people, if they must appear in public." --Buster Keaton
"To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune." --Charlie Chaplin
"Dumb show is best for screen people, if they must appear in public." --Buster Keaton
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^ And by the way, CHAPLIN is a really huge book (the hardback is about 3 inches thick)...and if you are not up for that, David Robinson actually has several books out about Chaplin. Some much shorter.
The thing do remember though, is 'David Robinson'. If it's written by him, it is likely a good (and certainly reliable) read.
Which is important with Chaplin, because alot of people with alot of agendas have written books about him. Including several sundry relatives/ex-relatives. ![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
The thing do remember though, is 'David Robinson'. If it's written by him, it is likely a good (and certainly reliable) read.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
- bobhopefan1940
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Yes, I saw it was pretty thick but had alot of images in it, which interested me! I found it in the back of an antiques store really cheap, I just have to go back and get it. Thanks so much, I will look out for David Robinson. I knew I could get some good oppinions on the whole thing here ![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
![Wink ;)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)
"How strange when an illusion dies. It's as though you've lost a child." --Judy Garland
"To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune." --Charlie Chaplin
"Dumb show is best for screen people, if they must appear in public." --Buster Keaton
"To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune." --Charlie Chaplin
"Dumb show is best for screen people, if they must appear in public." --Buster Keaton
- charliechaplinfan
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![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)