
Charlie Chaplin vs. America
When Art, Sex, and Politics Collided
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Narrated by:
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Phil Thron
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By:
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Scott Eyman
The “shocking” (The Wall Street Journal), must-listen story of Charlie Chaplin’s years of exile from the United States during the postwar Red Scare, and how it ruined his film career, from bestselling biographer Scott Eyman.
Bestselling Hollywood biographer and film historian Scott Eyman tells the story of Charlie Chaplin’s fall from grace. In the aftermath of World War II, Chaplin was criticized for being politically liberal and internationalist in outlook. He had never become a US citizen, something that would be held against him as xenophobia set in when the postwar Red Scare took hold.
Politics aside, Chaplin had another problem: his sexual interest in young women. He had been married three times and had had numerous affairs. In the 1940s, he was the subject of a paternity suit, which he lost, despite blood tests that proved he was not the father. His sexuality became a convenient way for those who opposed his politics to condemn him. Refused permission to return to the US after a trip abroad, he settled in Switzerland and made his last two films in London.
In Charlie Chaplin vs. America, Scott Eyman explores the life and times of the movie genius who brought us such masterpieces as City Lights and Modern Times. “One of the finest surveys of the man and the artist ever written” (Leonard Maltin) this book is “a sobering account of cancel culture in action.” (The Economist).
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Interesting and upsetting
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wonderful
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Great narration
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Fascinating
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It is a true shame that Chapin was effectively exiled from the U.S. for that last quarter of his life, and one can only wonder what he might have done if he had remained here. It's a shame Charlie did not fight it, because he probably would have won. It's also pretty disgusting how he was treated by the press about his supposed lack of patriotism, after having raised money for war bonds (and bought them himself) and after his sons had served in the war.
If there's a nit about this book, it is that it broadly, simplistically, and repeatedly claims "conservatives" were against Chaplin. Many conservatives at the time wanted him here. Moreover, as our current times demonstrate, efforts to control thoughts and dialogue are not limited to one political persuasion. Intelligence services have been largely a disgrace for decades, misdirected and misused across the political spectrum for purposes far beyond their legitimate purview.
J. Edgar Hoover was a disaster, but even he was not the moving force here.
That nit aside, it's a good book. The narration is fine.
Great Biography of Chaplin
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Yet again we see that extremism in high positions of political power leads to attacks on people which are ridiculous and cruel.
Alas .. We’re seeing it today!
Excellent Biog of this Complex Artist
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Now the universities have left-wing McCarthyism. Right wing McCarthyism eventually ended. I am not sure when the left-wing McCarthyism will fade.  For example, Harvard University has a $50 billion endowment, which makes it almost immune to criticism and very slow to respond. Although, Harvard and other major university, anti-Semitism could be criticized with the same remarks that were used to end the right wing McCarthyism. Harvard University do you have any sense of decency or shame?
McCarthyism is repeating today
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This new biography presents the story of the man from the beginning of his life to the end.
A welcome addition to all the books and articles about Chaplin and his times.
Excellent new biography
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As for the actual book, it was a shame that Charlie’s lifestyle had to be mixed with politics in order to expedite deporting him. Any book about someone being unfairly treated because of right wing ideology is an important and ever-relevant. This is one of the great celebrity books I think I’ve ever read or listened to. Important to point out that this manuscript is much better than Charlie’s autobiography. Much more matter of fact/informational and less rose-colored or maudlin. Certainly the listener doesn’t have to tolerate the amount of name dropping in this that Charlie does in his autobio.
Exceptionally well done and maybe one of the best narrations I’ve heard.
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Many interesting points, but too long
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