Notes For The Great Dictator, 1939–1940

Charlie Chaplin (1889–1977) was an English actor, filmmaker and composer who became an international icon with his character “The Tramp.” Though Chaplin rose to fame in the silent film era, it is his unique voice that defines him as one of the most important figures in the history of film. Chaplin’s first feature-length film, The Kid (1921), was one of the earliest Hollywood films to combine comedy and drama. The Great Dictator (1940), with its closing speech reproduced here, satirized Adolf Hitler by playing upon the resemblance of the two famous moustaches.

Chaplin eventually settled in Switzerland, where his former home is now a museum celebrating his legacy. It is our honour to celebrate a century of Charlie Chaplin with this series commemorating both the 100th anniversary of The Kid and the cultural impact of The Great Dictator.

For fans of: Charlie Chaplin, Hollywood icons, cinema, Embellished Manuscripts, Special Editions