You’ll Never Find Rainbows if You’re Looking Down!

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Charlie Chaplin; “A tramp, a gentleman, a poet, a dreamer, a lonely fellow, always hopeful of romance and adventure.”

Why not?
I stumbled upon an announcement congratulating Charlie Chaplin on his 135th birthday, and it suddenly caused me to reminisce about my admiration for him and consider writing an essay about my feelings and memories towards him.

I have been in love with this man since childhood. Not only because of his mastery in making incredible and fascinating movies but also because of his great personality, he became my great idol, especially when I began to act in the theatre. As I matured, I overcame my childish pleasures and began to understand his profound thoughts and deep-meaning messages. He imprinted in my head so much that I unconsciously imitated his posture; even his crooked walking can still be seen in my footprints! It is undoubtedly enough known that he initially refused to move to sound films in the 1930s and continued making silent movies. Of course, it was unavoidable, and he had to make his films hearable. But I am convinced he is a pantomime master and believe in his silent wisdom.

Unfortunately, I did not have the chance to meet this great man, though my love and appreciation for him have made me feel an inner connection with him and his life. I can understand his ambitions to get famous, be rich (or out of poverty), and be loved by beautiful women!

He once joked about its necessity and his favour to women, which I could relate to: “All I need to make a comedy is a park, a policeman, and a pretty girl!”

However, he never treated others unfairly and always tried to rectify his mistakes. After learning about his life story and reviewing his CV, I couldn’t help but wonder how he could create such masterful works while facing numerous legal battles and navigating through turbulent times. He was constantly moving back and forth between the court and the film studio.
We have many similarities, and I could imitate him so perfectly that I got nicknamed Charlie the Second!

Of course, nobody is perfect, as he himself might have said it often. Everybody makes mistakes. How well Dr Jung uttered it:
Mistakes are, after all, the foundations of truth, and if a man does not know what a thing is, it is at least an increase in knowledge if he knows what it is not. ~Carl Jung, CW 9ii, Para, 429

carljungdepthpsychologysite.blog

“I am a citizen of the world.”

I could only admit this quote, as I happened to be born in Iran, though I would rather be a citizen of the world.

”Why haven’t you become a citizen (American)?’ said another voice.
‘I see no reason to change my nationality. I consider myself a citizen of the world,’ I answered.”
– Charlie Chaplin, My Autobiography

The dialogue above comes from the press conference for Monsieur Verdoux, which occurred right after its premiere in New York. Rather than directing their questions at the film, the hostile journalists interrogated Chaplin about his political sympathies, patriotism, tax affairs and refusal to adopt American citizenship.

Chaplin also said: “I consider myself a citizen of the world, an internationalist… I just happen to have been born in London, England. It could have been Burma, China, or Timbuktu, but I’d still be the way I am. I’d keep my first citizenship because, being an accident of birth, it wouldn’t have any real significance. But wherever I live, I’ll conform to the rules, laws and regulations of that country.”
– From My Father, Charlie Chaplin by Charles Chaplin Jr.

Today, April 20th is Adolf Hitler’s birthday occasionally! Therefore, I thought it was not false to put this clip.

Every single scene in his movies is extraordinary; for example, in City Lights, a peaceful Tramp tries to earn money in any way he can. I can’t still stop laughing!

He was never drawn to a luxurious lifestyle or wealth. He believed that becoming used to luxury was the saddest thing that could happen to a person. One day, his daughter Geraldine asked him for money to purchase a golden necklace. He agreed to send her the money but also included a letter with a message: “My lovely daughter, I have sent you the money as requested, but please remember that the biggest and most beautiful jewel in the world is the sun that hangs on everyone’s neck!”

Chaplin’s views on the future of mankind at his 70th birthday, April 16, 1959:

I feel I am privileged to express a hope. The hope is this: that we shall have peace throughout the world, that we shall abolish wars and settle all international differences at the conference table, and that we shall abolish all atom and hydrogen bombs before they abolish us. The future of the modern world demands modern thinking. Therefore, let us use the full force of our intelligence instead of obsolete homicidal methods to settle our international differences. (source RTS archives: “Interview et message de Charlie Chaplin à l’occasion de son 70ème anniversaire”)

And Chaplin’s Modern Times ‘nonsense song’

Charlie Chaplin’s lyrics to “Swing Little Girl” (the song at the beginning of The Circus, which Chaplin himself sang for the film’s 1969 rerelease).

He is an unforgettable personality from whom we can learn a lot. I appreciate your presence.🙏💖💥

27 thoughts on “You’ll Never Find Rainbows if You’re Looking Down!”

    • Thank you very much, my dear Ashen. That was surely a wonderful meeting. It would be a sensation for me to meet Geraldine. Although, as I have seen the films with her, she did not inherit sufficient talent from her father despite her love of theatre and movies. But on the other hand, it was a made-in-German film, and I would say it was surely not her fault!!😉🤗🙏💖

      Liked by 1 person

  3. It was a German/Israeli co-production, wrought with difficulties. It went bust in the middle of filming, but was eventually resurrected. Still, a great adventure for actors and crew, who had paid expenses and free time to explore the desert canyons near Eilat. I wrote some poems during that time, shared on my poetry page.

    Liked by 1 person

    • I appreciate your effort to gain inspiration, my dear friend. As you know, I live in Germany, and after almost forty years, I believe Germans are rarely able to make good movies. The film you participated in was probably an attempt to make a Western in German, which can never go well. Nonetheless, your dedication to seeking inspiration is admirable. I would like to read those poems. 😊💖

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Oh, I loved Charlie Chaplin too! I can’t tell you why exactly but I remember as a child my heart would leap when I saw him on screen. Thank you for dedicating this entire post to him and sharing a few of his great quotes, Aladin. I’ll enjoy watching the clips you’ve shared over the weekend. Love and light, Deborah.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I used to love Charlie Chaplin as a child, I was hooked on all of his and also Buster Keaton’s films. I love his idea of being a ‘citizen of the world’ – his 70th birthday quote speaks volumes about the man he really was despite all of the criticism of him. Thank you for reminding me of his work Aladin!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Thank you, Aladin.

    What a lovely time I had enjoying the clips, and thinking about Chaplin’s message for life.

    Where are the new modern times Chaplins?

    I’ll try to think of some. Too bad I have to stop and think who and if.

    The boxing clip is hysterical, love it!

    Titled beautifully, you created a wonderful post!

    🌺💖🌟🌺💖🌟

    Liked by 1 person

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