Harlie Chaplin was born on April 16, 1889, in London. His parents, Charles and Hannah, were music hall entertainers. His father deserted the family when Charlie was three and a half and his brother, Charlie would have become just one more child lost in poverty. Sydney, was nearly eight. All of Hannah's hopes were gone, but she was indomitable. Without her,sad people remember when they think of pin had put in his first proper appearance. old was to take the character to its heart and shabby a strange mixture of a child and g sad mischievous brave, and always a wow Charlie had found a character with que on earth could identify. His sadness Ape of comedy crossed every boundary. Being we were silent in these days), everyone understand biO as the tramp, was the eternal loser who has won in the end. He bridged the gap between sh and the poor the successful and the losers. ood as the little man who triumphed in the face of all difficulties. Charlie gave some dignity to the sonate giving them a chance to laugh at themselves, knowing that they could always win in the was this quality that gave the tramp universal popularity. He broke down all social barriers.

By now Charlie had become famous and was producing his own films. One of the most famous in which the little tramp appears is The Kid. He had found the perfect actor for the role in the our-year-old Jackie Cogan, Charlie coaxed a wonderful performance hom Jackie The tale of the tramp and the kid touched everyone's heart and the film was a great success. It was shown in 50 countries. The Kid uce a social concern that deeply upset Chaplin, the treatment of abandoned

Chade was now the greatest and best-loved comedian in the world. He wash and famous beyond his wildest dreams, but his personal life was gged with troubles. His mother's death in 1928 was a big blow. Hannah a teem very, but she and Charlie had been laughing the day before she dest. Watching her suffering had been almost too much for him. He stood by her bed and saw that death had taken away all her pain. He remembered the stings and stories and wept.

Ather the Second World War, the fear of communism swept through America Charlie was accused of communist sympathies. His film 'Modern Tines was seen as proof, but it had only been Chaplin's reaction to five milion unemployed people during the Great Depression. Chaplin was proud af bi triendships with men like the actor, Paul Robeson, and the playwright. Belt Brecht-both of whom were communists. When Charlie was on his way London for the premiere of his film, Limelight, he was forbidden re-entry to the United States. He settled in Switzerland. After a life of incredible and work, great triumphs and great sorrows and trials, Chaplin died in his nep on Christmas in 1977, surrounded by his family members.Gradually. Hannah was forced to sell all of their small treasures and even the things they needed. But often their shabby room seemed to be transformed into a glittering stage. Hannah sang and danced for her little audience of two and acted out plays for them. Somehow, she managed to keep Charlie and Sydney clean and warm, clothed, and fed. Hannah's attempts to keep them decently dressed were not so successful. She made clothes from her old theatrical costumes, and the boys were teased unmercifully as went about the streets in their strange, oddly-cut shirts. they

When money was short, Hannah showed the boys how to find amusement without it. She would sit at the window watching the passers-by and their character from the way they looked and behaved, spinning tales to Charlie and Sydney. Sometimes she would mime all that she saw in the street below, her hands and face describing it to the boys without one word being spoken. guess

Charlie took in her skills just as she took in the sights and sounds of London, and he went on using them all through his life. There was simply not enough money coming in, and Hannah had to do something. In desperation she decided to go back to the stage, but all her worst fears came true; her voice failed completely.

Poor Hannah's struggle to carry on singing was drowned in whistles. catcalls, and boos. She fled from the stage. The manager, listening to the uproar, was desperate. He saw little Charlie standing in the wings. He was better than nothing. He grabbed Charlie's hand and led him to the footlights.

Charlie was five years old. The sight of this small child staring out at the audience brought a shout of laughter from them, but Charlie had been brought up among professionals and in the midst of performance. He planted his feet firmly and launched into a song. The audience was delighted and flung coins onto the stage, demanding another song. When Charlie calmly announced that he would go on once he had picked up all the money, there was another great shout of laughter. He was enjoying himself, and he went on dancing, singing, and doing impersonations until Hannah carried him off the stage.
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