CHAPLIN’ s WORLD, a Foundation Museum, opened to the world April 17, 2016. It was one day after Charlie Chaplin turned 127. The museum rests in Corsier-sur-Vevey, subsidiary to the larger town of Vevey, Switzerland. Population twenty-thousand in the off-season, and ballooning to fifty-thousand in the Summer for those who want to water ski the majestic Lake Geneva, also known as Lac Léman when viewed from the North. The lake, views, Alps and the estate are indeed— magical. This is magic of a different order; poetic, transcendental, blissful— yet with mountainous calamity always just a step away. Switzerland— the heartbeat of Europe. The peaceful center of the clock spring that never moves, yet, drives the entire show...
CHAPLIN’ s WORLD is the most telling example of one man raising himself from poverty; and conquering the world in many respects. Chaplin’ s fame rests in a category by itself. No other artist of the 20th century has been as noted. His Academy Award presented to him in 1972 is on display and the scripture reads( in part):“ For his profound insight into the human condition.” In one wry observation, no other world figure adorns as many different postage stamps. His birth centenary wrought the US government to issue one collector’ s edition stamp in 24 ct. gold. Over fifty nations have issued stamps in honor of Sir Charles Chaplin. Full-blown statues in cast metal inhabit at least five countries( Ireland, Switzerland, France, the US, and England).
CHAPLIN’ S WORLD IS THE MOST TELLING EXAMPLE OF ONE MAN RAISING HIMSELF FROM POVERTY; AND CONQUERING THE WORLD IN MANY RESPECTS.
1918: Chaplin was without question the most famous man in the world. That year he also cofounded United Artists along with Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks and D. W. Griffith. As well, the police estimated over seventy-five thousand people came to lower Manhattan to see Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks at Federal Hall in New York City. This was when raising money for the War Bond effort concerning WWI.
When Chaplin first returned to England in 1922, he recounts in his first autobiography, My Trip Abroad, daily he received over two-thousand letters, many of which asked him for help of one kind or another. His son, Charles Chaplin Jr.( 1925-1968) wrote in the opening pages to his biography of his father,“... even your rankest enemies concede that in your realm of talent you have no peer.”
PHTOTOS: Ben with Chaplin statue. Middle An with Buster Keaton. Bottom Ben with opening day sign.