Friday, September 3, 2010
Richard Bell, 1922
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From the Chinese film 滑稽大王游沪记 (The King of Comedy Visits Shanghai) 1922 by Embassy Films. More information about this silent comedy can be found here.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin
La Jolla Playhouse will present the world-premiere musical Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin, music and lyrics by Christopher Curtis, book by Christopher Curtis and Thomas Meehan and directed by Michael Unger, from September 7 - October 17, 2010 in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. Opening night is scheduled for Sunday, September 19 at 7:00 pm.
Playing the role of "Charlie Chaplin" will be Robert McClure, who recently starred as "Princeton" in the Broadway and national touring productions of Avenue Q. Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in the hit Broadway musical Mary Poppins, will portray "Oona."
Playing the role of "Charlie Chaplin" will be Robert McClure, who recently starred as "Princeton" in the Broadway and national touring productions of Avenue Q. Ashley Brown, who originated the title role in the hit Broadway musical Mary Poppins, will portray "Oona."
New Years Day, 1916
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
David Lee Parsons
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Unfortunately, the story of this Chaplin impersonator has a bittersweet ending. More can be read about his/her amazing life here and here.
When David Lee Parsons died of cancer in a Swiss hospital on September 23 2008, he was only 58 years old. But in his relatively short life, Parsons had ventured across three continents, switched his gender (and his name to Donna), helped popularize the electric ukulele, worked with the Charlie Chaplin Estate in Switzerland as a street performer/mime, given the Beastie Boys their first big push, and sweated through careers as an illustrator, skateboard builder, and magazine publisher.
In South Florida, Parsons was legendary for creating Mouth of the Rat, a handmade fanzine that virtually introduced this part of the country to punk rock.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Chaplin in Veracruz
Peladilla, the Spanish Chaplin
Benito Perojo (1894-1974) had a succeessful career as Spanish-language film director and producer for MGM, Fox, and his own company, Benito Perejo P.C.
His entry into cinema began when he co-founded the production company Patria Films in 1915. Through Patria, Perojo made a name directing and starring in five comedy shorts featuring his character Peladilla, a frolicsome wanderer clearly patterned after Charlie Chaplin.
A short (and rather violent) clip of Peladilla in action can be found here.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Charles Amador, or 'Charlie Aplin'...
In 1916, Charles Amador, a Mexican actor, changed his name to Charlie Aplin, and copied Charlie Chaplin’s most successful routines, including the iconic tramp suit and derby hat. The most blatant of these imitations was a film called The Road Track, largely copied from the Chaplin movie The Kid Auto-Races. Chaplin sued, and obtained an injunction preventing the showing of films wherein Amador played Aplin.
A long trial ensued. Amador contended that neither Chaplin, nor anyone else, for that matter, is entitled to a monopoly of such a costume. Finally, on 11th July 1925, nearly a decade after Amador stole the Little Tramp, the Superior Court of the State of California decided in favor of Chaplin, stating that the case doesn’t depend on “use of the role, garb and mannerisms, etc.” but on the intent to cause “fraud and deception”.
A long trial ensued. Amador contended that neither Chaplin, nor anyone else, for that matter, is entitled to a monopoly of such a costume. Finally, on 11th July 1925, nearly a decade after Amador stole the Little Tramp, the Superior Court of the State of California decided in favor of Chaplin, stating that the case doesn’t depend on “use of the role, garb and mannerisms, etc.” but on the intent to cause “fraud and deception”.
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