Charlie Chaplin Who?

As the years go by, movies become bigger and bigger, the limits constantly being tested in special effects, realism, outrageous humor, and downright disturbing gore. In every decade there are more and more talents, young and old, that emerge and catch our eyes. Celebrities get large fan followings, as well as scandalous stories written about them. But with each generation, celebrities of the past slowly fade from recollection. This does not exclude the original international movie star and beloved comedian, Charles Chaplin.

Chances are that you know exactly who that is as you immediately imagine a funny little fellow wearing a bowler, a tiny mustache, oversized trousers and carrying a cane. You're probably thinking, "Who doesn't know who Charlie Chaplin is?" And though it pains me to type this, you would be surprised.

I'm 20 years old and only during the past few years I've developed a passion for old movies, thanks to Turner Classic Movies. I've discovered great screen personalities such as Basil Rathbone, Kay Francis, William Powell, and Joan Blondell, just to name a few. But even when I was a kid, unable to pick Humphrey Bogart from a crowd, I knew exactly who Charlie Chaplin was. Granted I wouldn't have been able to recognize him out of his Little Tramp makeup, I knew the name without a doubt.

Too recently I have had two different conversations with two completely different people. They don't know each other, have never met, and neither of them knew who Charlie Chaplin was. I mentioned the name (the context of the conversation forgotten by now) and the two responses I i received have been forever embedded into my memory.

"I think I heard of him..."

"What's that?" (insert blank expression)

I hit the floor.

I occurred to me that these two teenagers cannot possibly be the only two in the world not to know. Charlie Chaplin was not only an innovative movie maker and an amazing on-screen talent, but he had more than his fair share of media coverage because of his celebrity. He has been an American icon (though he was British) and is one of the most recognizable and beloved characters ever to grace the silver screen.

So I ask you... How is it possible for someone of such legendary proportion to be forgotten? Are the new flashy methods of movie making causing people to turn a blind eye to the talents that started it all? Do people really have adverse initial opinions of things purely because it is old and in black and white?

Charlie Chaplin, a.k.a. The Little Tramp, should never be forgotten. His brilliant work should not belong in the category of "acquired taste" and his name should not invoke the lift of an eyebrow. He is a special part of our American Heritage and to this day, after ninety something years, he still brings laughter to the world.

Never seen a Chaplin film and don't believe me? Google it.