Limelight and banning from the United States Charlie Chaplin

limelight (1952) serious , autobiographical film chaplin: character, calvero, ex music hall star (described in image tramp comedian ) forced deal loss of popularity.

although chaplin remained politically active in years following failure of monsieur verdoux, next film, forgotten vaudeville comedian , young ballerina in edwardian london, devoid of political themes. limelight heavily autobiographical, alluding not chaplin s childhood , lives of parents, loss of popularity in united states. cast included various members of family, including 5 oldest children , half-brother, wheeler dryden.

filming began in november 1951, time chaplin had spent 3 years working on story. aimed more serious tone of previous films, regularly using word melancholy when explaining plans co-star claire bloom. limelight featured cameo appearance buster keaton, whom chaplin cast stage partner in pantomime scene. marked time comedians worked together.

chaplin decided hold world premiere of limelight in london, since setting of film. left los angeles, expressed premonition not returning. @ new york, boarded rms queen elizabeth family on 18 september 1952. next day, attorney general james p. mcgranery revoked chaplin s re-entry permit , stated have submit interview concerning political views , moral behaviour in order re-enter us. although mcgranery told press had pretty case against chaplin , maland has concluded, on basis of fbi files released in 1980s, government had no real evidence prevent chaplin s re-entry. have gained entry if had applied it. however, when chaplin received cablegram informing him of news, privately decided cut ties united states:

whether re-entered unhappy country or not of little consequence me. have told them sooner rid of hate-beleaguered atmosphere better, fed of america s insults , moral pomposity...

because of property remained in america, chaplin refrained saying negative incident press. scandal attracted vast attention, chaplin , film warmly received in europe. in america, hostility towards him continued, and, although received positive reviews, limelight subjected wide-scale boycott. reflecting on this, maland writes chaplin s fall, unprecedented level of popularity, may dramatic in history of stardom in america .

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