Charlie Chaplin once proclaimed that he would always remain one thing, that being a clown. Charlie Chaplin has been often sited at the single most influential actor in American movie history. Despite the fact that over his lifetime Charlie Chaplin acquired a spotted reputation, it did not taint his iconic status as a motion picture genius. Charlie Chaplin’s lifetime of work in the film industry has left an indelible mark on modern films. I hope to shed light on Charlie Chaplin with the following questions. What were films like before Charlie Chaplin started his acting career? What did Chaplin first think of American films when he arrived in Hollywood, and how did he change them? Why, and what are some of Chaplin’s most famous films and characters? How did Chaplin’s ideas get him into trouble with the American government? And finally what are Chaplin’s lasting accomplishments and memories?
Thomas Edison and William Dickson invented the first motion picture camera in 1902. By 1905 large amounts of people were paying five cents to see the first movies. This five-cent price tag was the origin of nickelodeon theaters that housed audiences in almost every major city. However early movies were in black and white only, abou

Born in England in 1889 to a poor family, when Chaplin was 24 years old he arrived in Hollywood California where he found quick and astonishing success. However, Charlie was appalled when he first entered the Hollywood sets. He became increasingly upset because the workers would leave early even if scenes weren’t finished. What shocked Chaplin most of all was that none of the American actors wrote their own scripts. These procedures were unacceptable to Chaplin who took pride in writing his own material. To Charlie Chaplin his acting career was his passion, not just an occupation. Between 1914-1916 Charlie Chaplin made 61 films in Hollywood. However in 1918 Chaplin decided to take a new direction, and founded his own studio called United Artists. Charlie had long wanted creative and financial freedom. With the creation of United Artists he became the first actor in Hollywood history to control every aspect of the film- making process; including writing, producing, directing, and acting. This accomplishment was un-heard of in this time period, and Charlie Chaplin became a pioneer in film innovation. Not only did Chaplin acquire creative freedom, he also saw a dramatic increase in his salary. Under his own leadership Charlie Chaplin’s salary multiplied to almost 60 times what is was under his previous agency. Charlie Chaplin’s passion for film, writing, and his self-determination rapidly propelled him to the top of the movie industry.

Charlie Chaplin’s lifetime work has done more for the movie industry than any other actor has ever done. He turned film into an art from rather than a past time. He revolutionized the idea of using movies to bring to life worldwide events. And inspired numerous of audiences with his heart warming characters. His legacy is one that is very visible today, and will always remain. He is forever the master of the silent screen.

Charlie Chaplin would not return to United States for another 20 years. When he did return to New York in 1973 Mayor John Lindsay presented him with the city’s highest cultural award, the Handel Medallion. In 1972 Charlie Chaplin