SoCultures: I would burst into laughs, even if I watch it right now. How do you
feel when the whole world starts recognizing you and line up for your
autographs?
Chaplin: It’s an amazing feeling when your hard work pays off. An actor’s
ultimate wish will be to make the audience recognize him for the characters he
played.
Me: When we talk about hits we also see some famous production companies
behind them. Which were your production favourite companies at that time for
making movies?
Chaplin: Yes, many indeed. To name a few, when I joined the Essanay Studios
Company they used to pay me $1,250 per week. From there, I shifted to the
Mutual Film Company which offered $670,000 per year.
SoCultures: Heard that the reason for your perfection and success was your
passion for the best in everything. Was it true?
Chaplin: That was my success mantra to make movies which should leave a good
impact on the audience. I always preferred the best, sometimes we even used to
re-build an entire set if we wanted to re shoot some scenes again.
SoCultures : Are there any specifics of your work, that you along with the world
consider them as landmark films?
Chaplin: Plenty, I should say. The Kid (1921), The Pilgrim (1923), A Woman in
Paris (1923), The Gold Rush (1925) and your favorite The Circus (1928) and so
on…the list goes forever as I used love my movies more than anything.
RELATIONSHIPS
SoCultures: I think this could take a while as you had plenty of relationships.
Chaplin: As the past says, YES!
SoCultures: Who was your first love?
Chaplin: The phrase “Short and Sweet” actually suits best about my first love.
It was with Mildred Harris whom I met in the mid-1918 and dated her. But, it
didn’t last long as we had disagreements in some issues and that relationship
lasted only two years.
SoCultures: You have to eventually move on and I think you have done the
right thing. What happened to your married life with Paulette Goddard?
Chaplin: You aren’t going to leave me until you get to know about my entire
relationship history, are you? Fine! She was a beautiful woman whom I met at
the Goldwyn productions and dated her. I even casted her in my movie
“Modern Times” because of the talent she had and the movie was an instant
hit. But, it didn’t last long too; sadly, we parted ways within six years.
48 SOCULTURES JAN-FEB2019