IF YOU DON'T LOOK UP

I never knew that Charlie Chaplin was a musician. I always thought of him as an actor and comedian. However archive material is coming to light on his background, early life in England and his other less known activities in the theatre and films.

He was very musical, played by ear and composed pieces for his own films. Apparently he was keen on the cello! (I notice he uses his left hand to bow.)

The story of his family background is very sad. Like so many immigrants who ended up in North America they did not talk about their past, and, as is evident in this family, it was for a good reason. However this man made a name for himself in the movies.

While I was aware of the song Smile [though your heart is breaking ...etc] I did not realize it was by Chaplin. The BBC program (an interview with Chaplin's son) played a recording of Charlie Chaplin sitting at the piano working out bits of a (unknown) new composition he was working on.

An example of a song he composed is Swing High Little Girl. It was the opening song written and sung by Chaplin for the 1969 re-release of 1928 film The Circus.

I particularly liked the following line:

Look up to the sky
!
You'll never find rainbows
 if you’re looking down.

The whole song is not unlike Smile in sentiment. I can't help thinking that it is a pity he did not develop that side of his talents more!

Eventually he and his wife and family settled in Switzerland. There are plans to make their Manoir de Ban home in Vevey into a museum.

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Chaplin photos: Wikipedia
Duart Castle, John Douglas, 2008