Chaplin in Pictures

Charles Spencer Chaplin (1889–1977) began his life in the slums of London and died a living legend in Switzerland. What happened in between is a large part of film history. In 1952, while on a trip to London, Chaplin was refused a visa for re-entry to the USA on political and moral grounds. Before his exile, he had made his most famous films in the United States, from silent shorts to sound films. The Hollywood star cult was created in Chaplin’s time, when the prominence of actors and directors was put to use in marketing. There was even talk of a world-wide epidemic of ‘Chaplinitis’. In 1915 Chaplin was already one of the highest-earning people in the United States.

Thanks to Chaplin, comedy was transformed from entertainment into an art form. He was a demanding and uncompromising prodigy of the silver screen who acted in, directed, scripted, produced, and even wrote the music for his films. The secret of Chaplin’s success lay in his ability to connect the personal with the public. In his films, the everyday life of the ordinary man in the street is paralleled by momentous historical events. The co-existence of the two worlds was also apparent in the character of the Tramp, simultaneously a seedy vagabond and a man of the world with the dignity and manners of a gentleman. Chaplin depicted society with critical eye, yet the vehicle for his stories was comedy. His entire output is characterised by a warm, humane spirit.

The prestige of Chaplin’s films has had its ups and downs over the decades, reaching its nadir in the 1940s–50s. The scandals in his private life also undermined his popularity during his American years, yet he began receiving new honours again in the 1960s and his legacy continues to the present day.

The exhibition Chaplin in Pictures approaches Chaplin’s career through a number of themes ranging from the creation of the little Tramp to the advent of sound in film. It also offers visitors a glimpse behind the scenes during the shooting of the films. Chaplin was an inspiration to countless other artists, including Fernand Léger and Robert Capa, both featured in the exhibition. The Chaplin phenomenon was prominent in Finland as well, as attested by the film posters, film magazines and photographs included in the show.

The exhibition is presented with the backing of the Chaplin Association organised in conjunction with the Cineteca di Bologna – Progetto Chaplin and MK2. The exhibition curator is Sam Stourdzé.