The Great Charlie. By Robert Payne. (Andre Deutsch. 16s.) Ma.
CHAPLIN 'S visit to England has dis- lodged an avalanche of books concerning his life and art. Unquestionably Mr. Payne's is the best of the bunch, a worthy tribute to a genius. He has confined himself almost exclusively to analysing the character of "Charlie the tramp," and this has led him to make a comprehensive and extremely interesting study of clowning throughout the ages. From Punch, Pierrot and Deburau to Grimaldi, Dan Leno and W. C. Fields, the clown's changing yet fundamentally changeless art is dissected and its enduring popularity investigated, as too is that mysterious and merciful thing, laughter. The philosophers, such as Kierkegaard and Kafka, are called upon to make learned comment on the relationship of clowning to life, and their erudite assumptions coupled with the author's own reflections make absorbing reading. True, Mr. Payne takes a deal of time dismembering Mr. Chaplin's films, sharing with the master's other bio- graphers the belief that every scene, every gesture has profound significance ; and the solemnity, the reverence accorded each twirl of the cane is perhaps a trifle overpowering for those who like to take their Charlie as he comes. This book is net for them. It is.not conversational. It touches only briefly on Chaplin's life. But as a study of his screen personality, rooted in the dim past and flowering for our joy today, it is a notable achievement. Mr. Payne is steeped down to his pen in his protagonist's magic, and being a historian, a philosopher and something of a poet as well he has written a fascinating
Previous page
