Come on, Charlie. Stop messing about. We have to get down to it.
I just hope our friendship survives.
George, don't be so melodramatic.
It's your autobiography, Charlie.
And as your editor...
...I have to tell you that parts of the manuscript...
...are vague, at best. For instance, your mother.
When did she first lose control? We need to know those facts.
It's hard to say.
She could be so wonderful.
On her good days.
You are my honey, honeysuckle.
I'd like to sip the honey from those red lips.
I love you dearly.
And I want you to love me.
You are...
Come on, love!
Get on with it!
Get off, you silly cow!
Come on, Mum!
We want a refund!
Come on!
Get off!
Off! Quick, Lady, off!
Come on. Cut it out!
Off!
You're out of it. Finished.
Ladies and gentlemen!
We crave your special attention! Play the game!
Play the game! Come on, lads!
Please, sir!
Get off the bloody stage!
Isn't he cute?
I know it. I can do the song.
Let him do it!
Let him try!
Give the boy a chance!
What's your name? - Charles.
Charles what? - Charles Chaplin.
At very short notice and great expense...
...for your special pleasure we present...
...Master Charles Chaplin.
Half a mo!
Ready?
You are my honey, honeysuckle.
I am your bee.
I'd like to sip...
...the honey sweet from those lips...
...you see.
I love you dearly, dearly.
And I want you to love me.
You are my honey.
Honeysuckle.
And I am your bee.
Your mother never sang again?
No. Never.
Mrs. Chaplin, if I don't get me rent I'll report you!
Them two little mites ain't fed proper!
If I don't get me rent, I'll report you!
You're two months behind!
The rent? Rent?
What on earth is that?
Shut up, you ghastly woman!
You tell her!
Sorry it's only fish heads again.
I'll get you plum cake one day.
When my ship comes in.
Mum? Someone's coming!
Mrs. Chaplin?
Are these your children?
Not the workhouse.
It's for their own good.
Stop! Come back here!
Come here!
We've got him! Quick!
Syd!
Get off!
Put me down! Let me go!
You were beaten?
With a cane thick as a man's thumb.
And Syd?
Send to a training ship. Then to sea.
You omit how long you were in the workhouse, or how you got out.
That's a mistake. I was there a year.
My mother started taking in piecework.
Sewing gloves.
While you were growing up there was just the two of you.
Your father? - What about him?
He died during that period. You don't write much about him.
I don't know much. He left sang on stage and died of drink.
What else should I say?
This is you're book we're discussing. It's your life. It's up to you.
How do, old scout!
How do, old scout! What's up Rummy? All the police gone?
Don't give me your lip.
All right, clear off! Now!
Didn't mean no harm.
Hey, Lil.
Charlie? Hello love.
Your mum's gone mad again!
Get off!
Thank God you got here, Charlie!
I got you that plum cake just like I said.
Thanks, Mum.
Make your mark, if you can't sign.
The doctor said to bring her here.
She'll be better off.
What about you? - I'll be fine.
What do you mean, "fine"?
I'll stay with me aunt.
Watch your feet, mister! Shoes cost money!
Sometimes she thinks the floor is a river.
We won't get wet.
Yes, we'll do our best.
You should say good-bye now.
Wasn't thinking.
Mum, I love you so much.
I know, I know.
If you had given me a cup of tea I'd be fine.
They'll take better care of you.
One cup! You must have wanted to get rid of me bad.
I didn't. I really didn't.
Come along, dear. - You're a lying little runt.
You'll end up like your father.
Charlie? Don't do this to me.
I love you. Don't let them take me away from you!
Don't let them do this to me!
Don't let them do this to me, Charlie!
Don't let them take me away from you, Charlie!
Dressed in style with your father's old green tie on.
I wouldn't give you tuppence for your old watch chain.
Old iron, old iron.
Was you scared when you first met this Karno geezer?
Everyone's scared. And it's Mr. Karno, remember.
To be in vaudeville, you work for him, or you work for nobody.
If you get this job and with what I'm bringing in...
...we can move Mom somewhere better.
Don't let me down. - I'll be great.
You don't have to be great. Just shut up and be funny.
Hello, Mr. Karno.
Hello, Sydney. Come on over.
We've got something to eat.
Now then. What about this young brother of yours?
He's been legit up to now, Mr. Karno.
But he sings and he dances a treat.
I've got song and dance men like you coming out of my ears.
Well, his slapstick is fantastic. He's got the knack.
Watch him.
He can do more, you know. More stuff.
I hope so.
Bloody hell!
You okay?
Need the job that bad?
Yes, sir.
Comedy is knowing who you are and where you come from.
It has to be perfection.
Can I come out now?
You may.
It's been a great evening so far hasn't it?
I promise, you're going to love the next act.
Everybody loves elephants.
And here on our stage you will see twenty of the largest...
...most graceful specimens.
These are straight from the jungle.
Do you mind, sir?
I'm introducing our dancing elephants.
Please do take your seat, sir.
Sit down, sir!
Take your feet down, sir!
Show a little respect! Now ladies and gentlemen...
...a very big round of applause for our next act!
Captain Boynton and his Pulchritudinous Pachyderms!
Really, sir! This is too much.
Kindly remember, sir this is a place of entertainment...
...not a bar...
...or rest home for inebriates!
Now, sit down and behave yourself.
Ladies and gentlemen Mr. Charles Chaplin!
Good evening.
Hey, cookie.
Hello, dearie. - Hello, Charlie.
I hear your governor's here tonight. - I saw him.
Charlie, come and do me up, will you?
I'm so late!
I'll never make it.
When did it start?
This afternoon. He's four.
He was coughing his heart out.
It could be the croup. Call a doctor.
I can't afford a doctor!
Yankee Doodles five minutes, please!
Come on. Girls, move.
My Harry was in last night. He thought you were hysterical!
How do I look?
Fine, fine.
You're a good boy, Charlie. You saved me.
What are you doing in here?
The others don't mind.
Well, I do!
You must be new.
I'm going to complain. I'll tell Mr. Karno.
Dirty good-for-nothing.
Lips.
I'm still going to complain.
Well, thanks, I suppose.
Last again?
I'll get your coat.
Look the other way.
Hello, hello, who's out on the town?
Evening, Governor.
And in my tails, at that!
Don't spill nothing down your front lad. That suit cost me good money.
Fred, you old devil.
You watch him now.
Tomorrow he'll be at sea.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
Good evening. I booked a table.
Name of Chaplin.
Mr. Charles Chaplin.
I booked it a week ago.
There's nothing here, sir.
We're fully booked.
There must be some error.
I really did book that table. You know?
I know.
It's cause that geezer saw us with Karno.
They won't have theatricals in them fancy places.
You wait. Someday they'll beg.
We'll walk in, you and me.
You in a fur, dripping jewels me in my own whistle.
Whistle?
Whistle and flute. Suit.
Oh, I see.
Will you marry me?
No.
Where would I get the jewels?
From me. Engagement rings wedding tiaras, rubies...
Charlie, I can't marry you.
I don't see why not.
I'm only sixteen.
But you'll get over that. Why else?
We hardly know each other. This is our first date.
When I return from America we'll spend more time together.
Are you serious?
Were you, Charlie?
You say you were. I want to make sure.
It's on page forty-something.
Thirty-three.
I mean, you never even kissed her.
You think I don't know that?
I'll just backtrack for a moment.
After you had your mother committed it all gets a bit vague.
Yes, it does.
Why?
Because I don't wish to remember.
Fair enough. But...
...if you'll allow me to say so...
...I don't think, and I know this sounds very American
you shouldn't be afraid to let the readers share your feelings.
Know what I mean?
You'll break me heart if you say no.
At least say you'll wait for me.
I'll wait for you.
How long will you be in America?
I don't know exactly.
It depends if they like the drunk act.
If they throw things I won't be gone long.
They won't throw things.
They'll think you're wonderful.
I think you're wonderful.
The funny thing is...
...you never mentioned love.
I don't have to, do I?
The number nine's in from Chicago. Let's load up the steers.
Nickel.
Sit down.
Have you seen that English bloke?
Watch this.
I've seen it before. A telegram came for you.
Show it again.
You've seen everything twice.
The one with the fire engine.
You'll love this one.
If any of them could act they'd be on the stage.
Charlie, it's a telegram.
That can only mean somebody's died.
Some bloke's offered me a job in California.
In the flickers!
The flickers aren't legit.
A hundred and fifty a week.
A hundred and fifty a week!
Watch your step.
Mack Sennett Studios
Hit him harder, Fred.
Harder.
Put some muscle into it. This ain't a Sunday school picnic.
Ready when you are, Mr. Sennett.
Someone's in the shot.
Keep cranking. Still cranking!
Cut. Cut it! Jesus Christ!
Was it good till the dummies fell out?
How could I find Mr. Mack Sennett?
What the hell were you doing?
I'm afraid you just found him.
Hello, sir. I'm Charlie Chaplin.
You sent me a telegram.
Butte, Montana. You hired me for a year, Mr. Sennett.
You're not Chaplin. Chaplin did the best comedy drunk I ever saw.
I don't pay $100 a week to kids.
Another one, boss? - No.
Mr. Sennett?
You might be Chaplin, after all.
And it was $150.
Plum in the middle of a shot.
You sure screwed it up, didn't you?
Fix it, will you, Rollie?
We don't print until we cut it.
That was negative, kid.
I know this is new to you this is not an ancient industry.
It's all built around speed.
Start the story, the chase. I get bored easy is why.
How much of Mabel? A couple of yards?
Yeah. No, try three.
But we don't sacrifice quality.
I only make two pictures a week. I'll spend up to $1000 on each.
Well, Rollie?
Almost done.
Waste not, want not. That's my motto.
When Rollie's done, no one will know you were there.
I'm rewinding.
You're on the cutting room floor. Not the place to be.
Got it.
Forget everything you ever learned. You're not in the theatre anymore.
That did it.
If you need me, I'll be with Mabel.
Nothing quite like it.
The feeling of film. But was it clear...
...how much the movies terrified me?
Not really. Why?
You must help me get that right.
I was right to be scared. I was dreadful.
Sennett wished he'd never hired me. I could barely keep control.
I would have been a total disaster if I hadn't invented the tramp.
I wanted to talk to you about that section.
The words just poured out. It practically wrote itself.
I'd only been with Sennett a month.
That magical moment as I walked through...
...the wardrobe door.
I felt possessed.
I could feel him calling out to me.
The Tramp.
Bullshit. And you know it.
But the truth was so boring, George.
Jesus.
You told him to change. - Into what, a suit of armor?
Chaplin! Get your ass onto this stage, right now!
Forget the Limey. Get cranking.
Okay! Begin!
Very formal, everyone.
What the hell? He's crazy.
What do I do?
Cut it. No, wait. Hold it. Keep going.
Maybe he's not so crazy.
Photographer! Henry! Chase him around the camera!
Okay, put him in line.
Big reaction! Who is this?
Stay down, Henry. Stay down!
Groom! Look jealous! Jealous! Better than that!
Mabel give the tramp the eye. That's right.
Matron, you're real hoity-toity. Who is this bum? Good. Very good.
Groom, he's trying to steal your bride!
Matron, hit him!
All right! Domino fall! Domino fall!
Start the chase!
Don't stop! Keep going!
Good! Good! Terrific!
Look into the camera.
Snap it.
Watch the bride.
That's enough. Cut.
Chaplin, what are you trying to do to me?
I knew I was right to hire him.
Listen.
You do what I say or I'll report you to Mack.
You stand up right now.
Pick up this hose and when I say sprinkle the road.
I could do more with that hose.
I could be funny.
Two months you think you know everything. I'm the director.
This is not a movie about being funny with a hose.
You're right. But it could be.
Chaplin!
He's coming.
I don't insist you fire him but if you do, that's fine.
I'd love to axe the Limey but I talked to new York.
It seems he's an asset to the company.
But I'll make sure he knows you're a great director.
Is Mack ever waiting for you!
Come in.
Charlie, come in, please.
You got to help me with Mabel. She actually thinks she can direct.
You're not mad, then?
I've been waiting for an actor to have the guts to stand up to her.
I really like you, Charlie.
I really like you too, Mack.
And I'll bet you've talked to New York.
Let me direct the next one.
How do you know you can? - I couldn't do worse.
Says you. What if no one wants it? What if it stinks?
Who'll pay? I've never seen you pick up a check.
I'll pay.
This is my work.
Did you pay?
No. But, boy, did I work.
I directed more than 20 films by the year's end.
Why didn't you send for Hetty?
I did write. Never got a reply.
I thought she might be on tour. So I asked Syd to track her down...
...see how she felt.
My god, look at him!
Dressed in style with your father's old green tie on.
I wouldn't give you tuppence for your old watch chain, old iron.
This is Minnie.
Nice to meet you.
Give us a hand, Chas, come on.
Why did you pick him? - He's not so bad.
Our Syd's all right.
I don't know, Chas. I don't see anybody staring at you.
Nice flivver. How long you had it? - A couple of weeks.
When do I meet Mr. Sennett?
Got something to show you first.
Look!
New Chaplin Film
I don't believe it! It's all happened so quick, Chas.
Last year, you were in vaudeville.
I'm top of the bill.
I still don't see anyone staring at you.
I don't look like me.
What news?
Mum? Oh, Mum is fine.
Well, not fine but there are lots of good days.
Well, not lots. But some.
And Hetty. Does she know?
The whole world knows about you.
She gave me this for you.
Fancy Hetty writing.
Look at this.
She got married.
I know.
I'm not surprised.
I wish her lots of happiness.
Well, not lots. But some.
Chin up, kid.
See, I was right. He is the most famous man in the world.
Value for money is what we want, sir.
Charlie, take this guy back to the asylum.
Syd's my manager. He left his acting career to handle me.
Woe is me! The theatre will never be the same.
What career? A thousand a week is more than I get.
Charlie's name is bigger if you'll pardon me for saying so.
Charlie, I've been so rotten to you!
I don't know if you can forgive me.
I forced you to leave Butte, Montana.
I made you accept a hundred and fifty per week.
I stuffed directing down your throat, too.
Tell me how Uncle Mack can make it up to you!
I want to run my own show. I want control.
Dream on, kid. I know this business. You're not that big.
First time I've seen you miss.
But, Charlie, Mack Sennett was the king of comedy.
He gave you your start. How could you walk out and leave him?
The reasons are clearly intellectual. Money.
So you joined up with Bronco Billy Anderson...
...a puffed-up cowboy star?
Not the high point of my career.
But I wanted my own studio.
I was putting money aside to build one.
Excuse me.
Do you always eat alone?
Only when I'm trying to meet someone.
Actually, I'm waiting for my girlfriend.
I'm a motion picture director.
I'm forming a new company with Bronco Billy over there.
And you need a new leading lady.
Lucky me.
You must be an actress, miss...
Purviance. Sorry. Just a secretary.
I'm auditioning actresses who aren't actresses.
Well, if you need an untalented actress who isn't an actress...
...you couldn't do better than me. Worse than me.
Don't you want to know who I am?
I have no interest in who you are.
Mr. Chaplin.
Cut.
Not great.
We'll do another.
If I eat one more bean I'm going to be sick.
You almost had it. But this time...
...not quite so dainty. You're starving.
I know.
But it's hard to be hungry after 46 takes.
But no one could do it as well.
We both know it.
I'll do my best.
How about dinner tonight? Chili con carne.
I'll kill you, Charlie.
More beans.
Camera.
Action!
The arrival in the land of liberty.
That's all for today, folks.
Good to know I can count on my nearest and dearest.
Don't come it with me.
"Arrival in the land of liberty"? Showing the statue?
What are you playing at?
No one else seemed to mind.
Kicking an immigration officer on the backside.
You think that's funny?
For those of us with a sense of humor, very.
It was supposed to be a comedy.
You've turned it into a bloody political tract.
We're guests here. You can't criticize the way it's run.
Syd, I love this country. I owe it everything.
That's why I can criticize it. Why I must.
Remember where we're from. There's a war going on, remember?
You make a million a year while British boys die in France.
The London papers are after you. You want that here, too?
I registered for the draft. They never called me.
It isn't like I'm hard to find.
I'm on your side, kid.
First one on board, remember?
Be careful, Chas.
Just watch it.
That's all I'm saying.
You said you detested studio parties.
The worst. But not where Doug Fairbanks was concerned.
Life was fun when Doug was around.
I don't think anyone today remembers what a huge star he was.
I mean in those days, he was huge.
Men liked him.
Women adored him.
He was royalty.
Look out below!
Sire, you are most truly welcome.
Great party, Doug.
Isn't it fabulous? - Wonderful.
I hate it more than you do.
I doubt it.
Of course everything changed when America's Sweetheart came.
You mean Mary Pickford?
I always found her to be something of an undersized bitch.
But Doug fell for her like a ton of bricks.
Hello, Charlie.
Hi, Doug. Thanks for inviting me.
Mary. It's a pleasure.
Duty calls. Excuse me.
He's really a lovely person, Charlie.
Yes. Hungry?
Her name is Mildred Harris.
An actress?
Oh, yes. A child actress.
You ever hear the word "jailbait"?
That's the definition. I'd watch it if I was you.
I value that, Mary.
Coming from you.
When America's Sweetheart gives you advice, you'd better listen.
"Better listen?" Thanks, Charlie.
When here you're married and Doug is married and you two are rutting...
...pretending you've just met.
Mr. Chaplin, please?
Lecture me more about morality.
Bettah, Bettah.
Bettah. Bitch.
Better.
I washed my face.
Come here.
What is it?
I just need some... you just need some lip rouge.
I've some in my purse.
It's in the drawer, over there.
Look at me.
Is this right?
Just put it on.
You weren't yet 30 and were the most famous man in the world.
You had your own studio, named after you. Couldn't you just enjoy?
I can, now.
I couldn't then. It meant too much.
Mr. Chaplin, welcome.
Can I take your picture?
Cut! - Hold it.
Let's try a little less.
Hold the smoke.
The dirt, I mean. Someone get me out of this thing.
Looks great, Charlie. I kept the boys here till you got out of costume.
You are an ass! - Thank you.
One more, Charlie?
How's the light? I know.
It's better down at Barney's Bar.
Call it a day.
I don't feel funny anymore. - Let's go, Charlie.
Are you cheating, Fairbanks?
You are a truly strange fellow Charles.
Nonsense.
Facts indicate otherwise.
Out.
These facts show a young man of what, 29?
Not perhaps handsome but certainly not repellent.
Flatteringly put.
Double fault. Lucky me.
A fellow of fame and fortune not without talent.
Ready?
If only you'd put one in play.
Call this one out.
What for? I'm winning.
Damn.
And who is he escorting?
Mildred Harris, that intellectual giant of 16 who still sucks her thumb.
Very funny.
Then why aren't you laughing?
Because I'm marrying her.
She's really not that bad.
"Really not that bad"?
Spoken like a man desperately in love. You're madder than I thought.
You sure it's yours?
I can only hope.
There are ways of getting out of this.
Where I come from that's not an option.
Besides, I want a family...
You'll have one before you know it.
May I congratulate you?
You may not!
Good!
You didn't suspect about Mildred?
Not for a moment.
Why don't you add that? Put that in?
I'll never forget the night Mary told me.
We were celebrating the end of WW1.
I met J. Edgar Hoover for the first time.
You should explain this was before he became head of the FBI.
If I may continue, Mr. Hearst. We're too generous.
We're too open. If we don't watch out...
...if we don't take steps now to impose some new discipline, some decency...
...then we're in trouble. Deep trouble.
It's not fashionable to say this.
We're celebrating, we think it's over.
But democracy carries a price tag.
I think one of the most misguided promises we ever made...
...was inscribed on the Statue of Liberty.
One I predict will lead this country into trouble.
"Give us your poor your huddled masses."
We must stop this before it goes too far.
Our concept of America does not include...
...never included this kind of scum.
You must forgive our famous young friend...
...his artistic temperament. What you're saying is important.
We are giving sanctuary to the refuse of the world.
Left-wing intellectuals who want to bring us down.
Aren't you overstating?
No, I'm not.
Do you people realize the responsibility you have?
To my way of thinking, movies...
...are the most influential form of communication ever invented.
And they're not controlled.
Your message reaches people everywhere.
Message?
Of course.
Mr. Chaplin reaches millions who only have to see.
And when they see our immigration service mocked...
...I call that a message.
As you've already said, Mr. Hoover...
...movies are for the people.
Most people work for a living and don't make very much.
It pleases them to see officials and the upper class kicked on the backside.
Always have and it always will.
And if that can change things so much the better.
Bettah.
He's improving.
But movies have made you rich.
They sure have.
I think you've handled it wonderfully.
Mildred.
The pregnancy?
Everyone knows you were conned.
Excuse us, Mr. Hearst. I must be up early.
Come along, my dear.
You made an enemy there.
Was it personal, you think?
Personal? Maybe.
I'm sure he really believed I was a communist.
I wasn't. I was simply a humanist.
He also believed you were a Jew.
Something I've rarely troubled to deny, mainly because of Syd.
He's half-Jewish. Same mother, different fathers.
I suppose the false pregnancy was the end with Mildred.
You're so late again. I'd almost given up.
Sometimes I feel I'm so close to getting it right...
...but it slips away.
You've been editing that film for months.
Will be for months, more than likely.
Not like the old days. The good times.
The good times? Are they over?
You want me to leave?
No.
I'll leave.
Why aren't you bitter towards her?
Stealing my movie wasn't her idea.
Poor child was so stupid I doubt she could even spell "idea".
Wake up!
They're trying to seize the film.
Wash your face and wake up.
Sweet little bride of yours. Her divorce lawyers say the film's an asset.
An asset?
I've got Rollie, the wife and 40 cans of film in the car. Come on.
Once we're out of the state we'll finish cutting the film.
You've got your pants on back to front.
It's good.
It moves now.
I really do love that kid.
Where's that shot, Syd?
Look in 102, Rollie.
Wait. I've got it, Chas.
Minnie, answer the door. Hurry.
Here's your tea. - Thanks very much.
He's on to us, boys.
You are the honeysuckle and I am the bee.
They're here, boss.
I've dreamed of this moment for years.
This is America. It's where your dreams come true.
Charlie bought you a lovely house.
It's not too big. - Great ocean view.
You always wanted to live by the see.
Don't stop Syd. You're right. I have.
I think I will love watching the waves.
I'm sure I will. You boys! You spoil me so!
More tea?
The mark on my arm?
I got that at the asylum.
If I'd fed you proper I'd never have gone there.
Now, if they ever come back for me I'll have enough food for us all.
I could never deal with my mother.
I just threw money at her.
You have to explain why you chose that time to go to London.
I was tired. I had a movie opening.
I wanted to see old friends.
Straight into the water, ass over tip!
He needed the job that bad!
But I was worried, Charlie. I was prepared for the worst.
I've seen it happen in the profession so many times.
I'm sure you have, Mr. Karno.
Head size. That's the only true measure of a man.
I sent this lad to America. Look what's come back to me.
My head never swelled not with all my successes.
But I was worried about you, Charlie.
That night at the Troc, remember?
You took a tall suit from the wardrobe and tried to be a gent.
Trying to impress that dancer Hetty - wasn't that her name?
Hetty Kelly.
I could see that you fancied her.
Sad.
I know all about it. She got married.
She sent me a lovely note. I've got it with me somewhere.
Oh, Charlie, Charlie.
Don't you know?
Has nobody told you? She's gone!