Smile by Charlie Chaplin -His Life - His Legacy and His Family

I have always known who Charlie Chaplin was - who didn't? With his distinctive tramp costume that all of us laughed at. Yet, I didn't learn about his life until after the movie by Robert Downey Jr Iron Man. You see, Robert Downey Jr. gave credit to a genius, an artistic genius. Yet upon researching the life of Charlie Chaplin, he was more than an actor, a song composer, and as I my readers know I have called him one of the greatest pilgrims of peace the world has ever known. The museum in Switzerland is scheduled to open in 2013. One sponsor is on board - Nestle Chocolate. Yet, sadly, I have not heard anything more.

The irony of the song is the music was written by Charlie Chaplin for his 1936 movie called Modern Times. The lyrics would be written by two other artists literally 2 decades later in 1954 and 2 years after Charlie was exiled from the United States.

What is fascinating is the number of top musicians who have sung Charlie Chaplin's famous song "Smile". From Judy Garland to Diana Ross to McBride to Nat King Cole to Barbara Streisand and the list goes on. I must say the most moving of all versions for me is Josh Groban. The song is always beautiful and always touching but Groban's voice was made for this song. I can see Charlie smiling with this miraculous presentation of the song.

"Chaplin composed the music, while John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954.^[1] In the lyrics, the singer is telling the listener to cheer up and that there is always a bright tomorrow, just as long as they smile. "Smile" has become a popular standard since its original use in Chaplin's film."

Charlie Chaplin to me was an inventor, yet to the world he was a tramp, a gentleman, a great artist, a comedian and he represented the child within all of us. Beyond his great inventions, in Charlie's maturity, he spoke to us about peace. To McCarthy, he was a "leftist", to me he was a freedom fighter. He fought for the ability for us to laugh at ourselves during one of the greatest tragedies in our lifetime, in our world. He fought with humor for the rights of the worker, he fought for peace with his satirical portrayal of Hitler.

In the midst of his greatness, the American people ignored him and allowed McCarthy to rule the United States. We didn't speak up. Did we know? Was it not politically correct? Whatever the excuse, the answer today must be to know our history and fight as Charlie would fight for freedom of expression. Suppression of creativity, suppression of opinion is the death knell for freedom - not just for the United States but also for the world.

Charlie Chaplin did more than create comedy, he created lasting characters that touch our very soul and which we relate to even today. As a businessman, Charlie created in partnership with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and D W Griffith formed a film distribution company called United Artists. United Artists continues to day to operate as a film studio, now as a subsidiary under MGM.

Charlie Chaplin had some of the highest grossing silent films in the world.

Controversial Charlie

In 1952, during the McCarthy era in the United States, Charlie was chastised for his "left-wing" politics. On his return from a European vacation, his re-entry to the United States was denied. Chaplin then made Vevey Switzerland his home. He would not return to the United States for another 20 years (April 1972) and then it was simply a visit to pick up a lifetime film achievement, an Honorary Oscar.

Sadly, the controversies that haunted Charlie in his life continued after his death. In 1978, his tomb was robbed and his corpse was held for ransom. The plot was foiled and his corpse was reburied under 6 feet of cement.

Charlie today is remembered for his movies and his comedies. For many artists, his song Smile touched their hearts.

Chaplin's Political Statements

Chaplin's life was complex. He was more than an artist. He was a genius, an inventor and a man who fought for our freedoms - a pilgrim of peace. If humanity is to survive we must remember Charlie Chaplin for both his artistic creations but also his political statements. If we cannot remember and say out loud his political statements, I contend we belittle his talents, his genius. More importantly, if we cannot shout the praises of this man, we do both him and the freedoms our soldiers have valiantly fought for a great disservice.

Charlie should be remembered for more than just his comedy, his film distribution. Charlie must be remembered also for the tragic state of American politics. The exile of Charlie Chaplin is a historic event that is paramount to our freedoms.

"Smile tho' your heart is aching,
Smile even tho' it's breaking,
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by,

If you smile
thro' your fear and sorrow,
Smile and maybe tomorrow,
You'll see the sun come shin-ing thro' for you

Light up your face with gladness,
Hide ev-'ry trace of sadness,
Al -'tho a tear may be ever so near,

That's the time,
You must keep on trying,
Smile, what's the use of crying,
You'll find that life is still worth-while,

If you just smile,"

Chaplin also wrote the famous song "This is My Life" made famous by Petula Clark. Chaplin wrote This is My Life for his movie Limelight.

"This is My Song" was intended for the film, A Countess from Hong Kong , which Charlie Chaplin wrote and directed. Chaplin saw his film as a throwback to the shipboard romances which were popular in the 1930s and wrote "This Is My Song" with the intent of evoking that era: to reinforce the evocation Chaplin was determined to have Al Jolson sing the song - so determined that he only accepted the advisement that Jolson had died in 1950 when shown a photograph of Jolson's tombstone.^{[citation needed ]} Ultimately, the song would be featured in the film only as an instrumental.

After being disillusioned in regard to Jolson, Chaplin considered having "This Is My Song" recorded by Petula Clark who had a home in Switzerland near his residence."

History details that Clark did not like the words that Chaplin had written for the song. Chaplin wanted it retro and stuck to his guns and thus we have the Petula Clark song immortalized with Chaplin's lyrics. Additionally, Petula Clark's regular music arranger, Tony Hatch refused to arrange the song. Clark's husband felt the song would be good for Petula. Finally, after the controversy, Ernie Freeman arranged the song and history was made with this song hitting number one throughout the world including Ireland, Australia, South Africa, and England. In the United States it reached #3 and #4 in Canada.

Kiera Chaplin, a successful actress and model is a big supporter of ecology. In this interview, we have a glimpse into her personality and her love of fashion and her introduction to America. What is striking to me is her facial features that remind me of her grandfather.

Kiera resides in New York City and has been listed as one of the world's most desirable women and one of the richest - thanks to her grand father Charlie Chaplin. But what is often over looked is the fact that she is also the grand daugther of Eugene O'Neill's legacy and fortune. Eugene O'Neil is a famous playwright who wrote what I will call the most dismal of all plays I have ever seen - "Long Journey Into Night" which was so long that I will confess it is the only play I have ever left early. I kept waiting for it to get better and simply did not. The play has been described by critics as repetitious and filled with bitterness. The repetition is supposed to mimic the fact that day is not remarkable which is how I felt about the play.

I find it ironic that this beautiful and vibrant young woman would have two grand fathers with completely different artistic skills - one filled with bitterness and the other filled with laughter and life complete with a message to "Smile" through life's many traumas.

In a final irony, O'Neill died at age 65 (Charlie at age 88), in California (Charlie died in Switzerland in his sleep while at home) in a hotel room. O'Neill is stated to have whispered his last words: "I knew it, I knew it, born in a hotel room and god damn it died in a hotel room."

Chaplin's quote says it all - "I am an agitator for peace." Chaplin cast a light upon certain anomalies of American life. The return to America was sadly blocked but Charlie was classy and did not call attention to the political confusion amidst American politics.

Even his son, stated "not having planned upon living in Europe..." and Chaplin's wife stated "oh, but it is pretty here" meaning Switzerland.

The video goes on to state that the world came to Charlie Chaplin's doorstep.

Even the children were sheltered from the controversy of not returning to America. You must hear this and hear how respectful this family is to the "unexpected exile" from United States.

I state it bluntly - "unexpected exile". Americans exiled Chaplin. We, as citizens, didn't speak up. And yet we have sent our fathers, our sons, our grand sons and daughters to combat for freedom. It is for my family that I speak up and shout for freedom. We must not allow another "political confusion" to ever occur. Democracy must be cherished and fought for on all front - battle stations and writing forums.

Take our poll about the life of Charlie Chaplin.

Did you know that Charlie composed this song called "Smile"?

Did you know this song was Michael Jackson's favorite?

Did you know the lyrics were written while Charlie was exiled from the United States?

Did you know that Charlie returned to the United States to receive an Honorary Oscar?

Did you know Charlie started United Artists which continues today?

Did you know Charlie Chaplin was knighted by the Queen of England and is now known as Sir Charlie Chaplin?

Did you know a museum will be opening in Switzerland in honor of Charlie Chaplin?

Charlie's Relevancy Today?

I am biased because I did the research and learned about this great artist whom I consider one of the world's most amazing inventors. No, Charlie doesn't own any patents. He created in a realm and in a manner so distinctive that a patent would simply be a piece of paper. Charlie created laughter, he taught us to smile through our troubles. To me, he is the greatest inventor in the world and should be celebrated for teaching us to love life amidst our many traumas.

The biggest question of all is the real question, is Charlie Chaplin still relevant today? Please share your opinlon.