Chaplin and American Culture
In the centenary of his birth, much has already been published about one of the most closely scrutinized figures in film history. Maland's intention is take Charlie in the "context" of his times, to examine how he fell from grace (and was rehabilitated), both as a film artist and as a public figure. Maland is stronger on the latter, detailing Chaplin's agonizing paternity suit and his subsequent political persecution and final exile to Switzerland. But there is little new here, either in material unearthed or fresh insights. The superior work on the same subject is David Robinson's Chaplin: The Mirror of Opinion (LJ 11/1/83).- Thomas Wiener, formerly with "American Film"Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.