Biography of Charlie Chaplin

Our Charlie Chaplin is a witness to history 

The month of April, 1972.  Charlie Chaplin, the most famous star of silent film, returned to America after 22 years.  He has lived in Switzerland for two decades after leaving the United States. 

The huge house of Charlie Chaplin in Geneva is now a museum.  Garden around the house.  Lake Geneva can be seen in the distance.

 A son of Charlie Chaplin was touring the house.  His name is Eugene Chaplin.  He was born in Switzerland.  Mother's name is Una.  I am the fifth of the parents' eight children.

Eugene says, "Our life in this house was like a happy bubble. Very nice house. No problem anywhere. Absolutely ideal life. No outside problem would even touch our life."  The chaplain lived in this house until his death on Christmas Day, 1977.

"He wanted us to do well in our studies. We learned manners. He often told me, 'You can do whatever you want in life. But remember, you can do whatever you want.'

 Speaking of the last days of his life, Eugene said, "Dad didn't make a lot of pictures at the end. But he was very happy. He used to go around the area. He got the kind of normal life he wanted in Switzerland."

But was their life normal as children of Charlie Chaplin?  According to Eugene, their mother was the head of the family.  He was in charge of everything in the house.  When his father worked, he would close all the doors.  Didn't like any kind of noise.  There were strict rules at home.

 "t night when we sat down to eat together. If we wanted to get up from the dining table, we had to get permission. Dad was very strict about our education."