1. Camille Taylor
Prof. Aronson; GTF Cheney
ENGL 265: Hist. of Motion Picture
Research Analysis #1: Charlie Chaplin as a star
October 25, 2013
This research analysis essay is focused on Charlie Chaplin’s stardom,
approaching this aspect of his life with his biographical history and noteworthy
films. Elements of his life as an actor/star include his famous films during the Silent
Era, as well as which of those films gave him the most recognition and success in the
film industry and in the world. ‘The Tramp’ character is seen in several of Chaplin’s
films (The Tramp, A Dog’s Life, Kid Auto Races at Venice, The Bank, and Modern
Times) and has become arguably the most significant ingredient in his acting style,
charm, and legacy in the Silent Film Era.
Key noticeable traits of ‘The Tramp’ are his bowler hat, large floppy black
shoes, Hitler mustache, and cane—the physical attributes resemble an early 1900’s
London style. Although known for being physically and socially awkward, this iconic
character has accurately represented members of the working class and those who
are oppressed by rulers of American capitalism with innocent comedy. In addition,
the tramp is an important figure in promoting the middle-class American Dream and
the drive to escape the falls of The Depression period. Charlie Chaplin kept this
character alive in so many of his films, even after the tramp was no longer portrayed
as the leading role in his later films. He was committed to maintaining the classic

2. look and mannerisms of the tramp in his characters (the small mustache and the
cane). Perhaps the reason behind this was to remind the public that the tramp’s
influence on society lived on: one who strives to break social class boundaries and
give the everyday working citizen optimism and zeal.
Charlie Chaplin himself grew up under similar conditions that his famous
character seemed to; he was born in London and was raised in poverty. Through the
tramp, he is able to express childhood struggles of being a member of the lower
class and practically an orphan as his mother and father had exited his life by the
time he was a young boy. As mentioned above, the tramp became a static character
in many of his other features and was soon known internationally as an icon of
silent film. Chaplin’s final silent film Modern Times fully encapsulates the tramp at
his strongest and most influential: he plays the role of a factory worker at a steel
company during The Depression. The film is pertinent to note because of how
political and class conscious it is. It shows the president of the steel company
enjoying the luxuries of the ruling upper class while the tramp and his wife live
humbly in a shack. Yet, even though the film accurately depicts working class
struggles and socio-economic inequality, the tramp is regarded as a stubborn
optimist who never gives up on the American Dream that so many like him hope to
achieve. The tramp offers audiences the relief of humor and light-heartedness even
in the toughest of times, and this persona is reflective of Charlie Chaplin’s approach
to acting and life. The film perfectly concludes with the tramp strolling towards the
sunset, as a classy way to bid adieu to Chaplin’s most relatable character.

3. Modern Times was meant to be the last film the tramp starred in because
Chaplin didn’t want to ruin his image by continuing his appearances in talkies. But,
according to a reporter from The Chaplin Revue, Charlie Chaplin regretted his
decision to end the tramp’s career: “I was wrong to kill him. There was room for The
Little Man in the atomic age.”(Charlie Chaplin, 1959). However, it seems fitting to
not include the tramp in later talkie features because Chaplin is known for his
dominance of Silent Era film and his legacy resides in the silent comedic character.