Childhood
Charlie Chaplin was born to talented parents in 1889 in England. His parents were actors, and his mother sang as well. Unfortunately, his father abandoned the family, and his mother’s health worsened. Young Charlie and his siblings learned to survive on their own.
Artistic Beginnings
When Charlie’s mother lost her voice in the middle of a show, Charlie went out to stand in for her, and the crowd immediately loved him. Shortly after, Charlie Chaplin went around with various groups of people performing vaudeville shows. These live shows had a variety of acts like singing, dancing, and comedy. Even though Charlie performed shows all the time, he worked many odd jobs to support himself.
Charlie’s luck changed when an American movie producer discovered him and turned him to a movie star. The pay of $150 a week was life changing, although it’s still too little compared to the actors’ pay today. Charlie Chaplin wanted to distinguish himself from other movie stars by creating a signature look and a recurring character called The Tramp. Charlie worked incessantly by acting in 35 films in one year. By age 26, Charlie was renowned and one of the highest paid artists in the world as he signed a contract for $670,000 a year ($15.7 million today). The public was shocked hearing about the high pay, but they loved him.
Influence and Method
Charlie’s first influence was his mother who entertained him as a child by sitting at the window and mimicking the passers-by. Watching her, he learned to observe people and to express emotions with hands and face. He had spent years in music hall where he watched comedians. His study of pantomimes taught him the art of clowning. In addition, Charlie’s years at a film company taught him the concept of mixing pathos with slapstick. His style reflected both pity as well as boisterous actions like throwing pies in actors’ faces. Charlie’s early films didn’t have a script, which meant he worked off vague and limited directions. Later, Charlie worked in talking movies as well and continued to be a global figure.
Question
Which of these best summarizes the selection?
Responses
A Charlie Chaplin became one of the most successful actors of the silent movie era. Born to talented artists, young Charlie supported himself by acting in various shows that paid too little. After he became a movie star in America and created the famous Tramp character, he was a huge success. His distinct methods, which he developed over the years, set him apart.Charlie Chaplin became one of the most successful actors of the silent movie era. Born to talented artists, young Charlie supported himself by acting in various shows that paid too little. After he became a movie star in America and created the famous Tramp character, he was a huge success. His distinct methods, which he developed over the years, set him apart.
B Charlie Chaplin’s father abandoned him, and his mother became ill. Charlie and his siblings survived on their own. Charlie developed a character called the Tramp. He also mixed pathos with slapstick, which was pity mixed with loud actions. He ended up getting paid lots of money, which shocked the public.Charlie Chaplin’s father abandoned him, and his mother became ill. Charlie and his siblings survived on their own. Charlie developed a character called the Tramp. He also mixed pathos with slapstick, which was pity mixed with loud actions. He ended up getting paid lots of money, which shocked the public.
C Before movies were in color and in sound, it was the era of silent movies. Charlie Chaplin worked in variety shows before he acted in movies. His mother, who was an actress and a singer, taught him many things, although she became ill and caused Charlie to work in order to survive. She would entertain young Charlie by people watching through the window.Before movies were in color and in sound, it was the era of silent movies. Charlie Chaplin worked in variety shows before he acted in movies. His mother, who was an actress and a singer, taught him many things, although she became ill and caused Charlie to work in order to survive. She would entertain young Charlie by people watching through the window.
D Charlie Chaplin worked hard and for little pay before an American movie producer discovered him and turned him into a movie star. He became a global success and was a financial success as well. Because of Charlie Chaplin, comedy was taken seriously and regarded as art. Charlie Chaplin created a character called the Tramp and played it in many movies. Charlie Chaplin worked hard and for little pay before an American movie producer discovered him and turned him into a movie star. He became a global success and was a financial success as well. Because of Charlie Chaplin, comedy was taken seriously and regarded as art. Charlie Chaplin created a character called the Tramp and played it in many movies.
Skip to navigation
© Progress Learning 2024, All Rights Reserved.
Terms
|
Privacy
PHONE 1-877-377-9537
|
FAX 1-877-816-0808
Blog
1 answer
The best summary of the selection is:
A Charlie Chaplin became one of the most successful actors of the silent movie era. Born to talented artists, young Charlie supported himself by acting in various shows that paid too little. After he became a movie star in America and created the famous Tramp character, he was a huge success. His distinct methods, which he developed over the years, set him apart.
