From today’s featured article
Charlie Chaplin (1889–1977) was a British comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the silent era. Chaplin became a worldwide icon through his screen persona “ the Tramp” and is considered one of the most important figures of the film industry. His first screen appearance came in February 1914, after which he produced the popular features The Kid (1921), The Gold Rush (1925), and The Circus (1928). Chaplin refused to move to sound films in the 1930s, instead producing City Lights (1931) and Modern Times (1936) without dialogue. He became increasingly political and his next film, The Great Dictator (1940), satirised Adolf Hitler. The 1940s was a decade marked with controversy for Chaplin, and his popularity declined rapidly.
Accused of communistsympathies, he was forced to leave the United States. The Tramp was abandoned in his later films, which includeMonsieur Verdoux (1947), Limelight (1952), and A King in New York (1957). Chaplin wrote, directed, produced, edited, starred in, and composed the music for most of his films. His work is characterised by slapstick combined withpathos, and continues to be held in high regard. (Full article…) Recently featured: USS Constellation vs La Vengeance –Jin campaigns against the Song Dynasty – Lemurs of Madagascar (book) Archive – By email – More featured articles…
Did you know… From Wikipedia’s new and recently improved content:
… that the Duesenberg Model A(pictured) was the first production car with four-wheel hydraulic brakes? … that Sainte-Enimie was named after a Merovingian princess after she was cured of leprosy three times in a nearby river? … that China’s Premier Li Keqiang and Vice President Li Yuanchao both studied under Li Yining, who is known as “ Mr. Stock Market”? … that at the 2005 Genesis pay-per-view event, Christian Cage made his Total Nonstop Action Wrestlingdebut? … that the song “ Horn OK Please” marks the first collaboration between Gulzar and Honey Singh? … that Peruvian teachers’ union leader and former Member of Parliament Óscar Felipe Ventura is a noted saxophone player? … that the Siberian apricot has been studied as a source of biodiesel?
