Credit: Universal Pictures
by Brendan Nagle Featured Film Kicking the Canon Kicking the Canon

A Countess From Hong Kong — Charlie Chaplin

April 28, 2023

Is there a greater rags-to-riches story than Charlie Chaplin’s? A real-life tramp, Chaplin grew up dirt poor on the streets of London. The son of two destitute music hall entertainers (dad an abusive alcoholic, mom committed to a mental institution), as a child, Chaplin showed promise performing stage comedy and working the music hall circuit himself with his brother, Sydney. This would lead to a few tours of North America with a vaudeville troupe and then a contract with Keystone Studios. By the time Chaplin was 25, the former street urchin had become a bona fide movie star.

Sorry! This part of the content is temporarily hidden, but you can gain immediate access by supporting us with a Patreon contribution!


Part of Kicking the Canon — The Film Canon.
Published as part of InRO Weekly — Volume 1, Issue 17.