Chaplin and American Culture

Book excerpt: This book focuses on the relationship between Charlie Chaplin and American society. Maland traces the ups and downs of Chaplin's star image from 1913, when he began his movie career, to the 1980s, when his "Charlie" figure emerged in an ad for personal computers. He analyzes the cultural forces that led to the spectacular growth of his popularity, to the dramatic collapse of his reputation and his 20-year exile in Switzerland, and to his restored prestige. Maland details the hostilities of the press and the government's conspiracies, and shows why Chaplin had to pay a high price for breaking American norms: the paternity suit of the 1940s, and his controversial progressive politics. ISBN 0-691-09440-3: $22.95.