Nearly everybody knows Charlie Chaplin, a world-famous comic actor. People everywhere have laughed at Charlie Chaplin’s films until tears ran down their faces. From his very first appearance they know what will happen. The little man with the little black moustache, wide-open eyes, round black hat and shoes too large for this feet, will struggle through snowstorms, and fall from windows. He’ll fight men who are twice his size, and fall in love with women, who hardly notice him, and try to hug them.
The poor man that Charlie Chaplin played in hundreds of films makes all kinds of stupid mistakes. He is always in trouble, but he never gives up. He dreams of becoming a great man.
Even people who don’t understand English can enjoy Chaplin’s films, because they are mostly silent. It isn’t what he says that makes people laugh. His comedy does not depend on words. It depends on little actions which mean the same thing to people all over the world.
Chaplin raises his thick eyebrows or rolls his eyes. He hides behind a fat lady or under a table to escape from his enemies. He dresses well and pretends to be a rich and important man. It is all so hopeless and impossible that he makes us laugh. This is the secret of Chaplin’s huge success.