Charlie Chaplin: His Life & Work 90 Min.When Charlie Chaplin was born in London on the 16th of April 1889, no one could have predicted what his future would be. Charlie's meteoric rise to fame in the pioneering days of the film industry is truly one of the most dramatic rags to riches stories ever told, and the enduring charm of his instantly recognizable "Little Tramp," continues to thrill film enthusiasts the whole world over to this very day. Chaplin's life was full of contrasts, from his poverty-stricken childhood in the London slums, right through to his millionaire status as one of the first great celebrities of Hollywood. The treasured black and white silent movies that made Charlie his fortune give a fascinating insight into the character of this great comedian, but to really understandthe nature of his genius you need to step back in time. This program will transport you back to Chaplin's London at the turn of the 20th century and you can see for yourself the influences that were to shape his later work on the silver screen. Trace his footsteps to the workhouse and the lunatic asylum where his beloved mother struggled to overcome poverty and illness, and see the school where Charlie first faced the injustice of authority. Follow the story further with Charlie's departure for America, as his phenomenal success is charted in precise detail with extracts from his movies providing a stunning backdrop. Every aspect of Chaplin's life and work, triumphs and disasters, are all explored in order to bring you the real man behind the "Little Tramp's" mask.The Rink 1916 / B&W / 20 Min.Chaplin stars in this hilarious comedy short as a waiter who spends his time at the skating rink where his skill and grace lead to possible romance and unfortunate mishaps. The Immigrant 1917 / B&W / 20 Min.Charlie is an immigrant on a ship headed for America. His affectionate nature and downright kindness steer him towards love and madcap mishaps.Tillie's Punctured Romance 1914 / B&W / 73 Min.This first feature length comedy ever made stars Chaplin as a con artist who talks Marie Dressler, an innocent girl, into tak-ing her father's savings and running off to the city with him.The Vagabond 1916 / B&W / 20 Min.This film is the story of The Little Tramp, a pathetic fiddler who makes a scanty living and rescues damsels in distress.When sold by Amazon.com, this product will be manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.