Charlie Chaplin’s only work of prose is being made public for the first time.
According to the Guardian, Chaplin’s work of fiction is a dark novella, seen to be the root of his film
Limelight.
Footlights was left unpublished for over 60 years and tells the story of an ageing clown Calvero, an alcoholic who saves a ballerina who tries to take her life.
"It's the story of a comedian who has lost his public, by a comedian who at that time had lost his public, who was referred to in the press of the time as a 'former comedian', a 'former successful film maker'" said Cecilia Cenciarelli, co-director of the Cineteca di Bologna, a film restoration company which has been digitising the Chaplin archive.
"I know I'm funny," says Calvero in the novel, "but the managers think I'm through … a has-been. God! It would be wonderful to make them eat their words. That's what I hate about getting old – the contempt and indifference they show you. They think I'm useless … That's why it would be wonderful to make a comeback! … I mean sensational! To rock them with laughter like I used to … to hear that roar go up … waves of laughter coming at you, lifting you off your feet … what a tonic! You want to laugh with them, but you hold back and laugh inside … God, there's nothing like it! As much as I hate those lousy – I love to hear them laugh!"
Chaplin’s novel was written in 1948, before the actual script for the film, and acts as a prequel of sorts.
According to Chaplin’s biographer David Robinson, the celebrated entertainer was having a tough time in the US when he wrote the piece.
"He was a big target for J Edgar Hoover … which was effective to the extent that a great deal of middle America turned against him. This was a shock to him, who had been the best loved man in the world for 30 years" said Robinson.
Chaplin’s feelings, he said, "work themselves out in the story of Calvero".
The book was unveiled by Cineteca this week in London, at the British Film Institute Southbank.
The Guardian reports that the book will be available for purchase from the publisher’s website and Amazon.
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