Charlie Chaplin’s Smile
Performed by Leo Witter in Waterville
Video by Christian R. Warta
Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin KBE was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of the silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is considered one of the film industry’s most important figures. He was born on 16th April, 1889 in London, UK.
On the 4 March 1975, a frail 85 year old Charlie Chaplin, became Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin when he was knighted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace
SMILE was composed by SIR CHARLIE CHAPLIN – the song, with the help of composer, David Raksin, was inspired by a sequence in the first act love duet from Puccini’s opera “Tosca” beginning with Cavaradossi singing “Quale occhio al mondo può star di paro”. John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954. In the lyrics, based on lines and themes from the film, the singer is telling the listener to cheer up and that there is always a bright tomorrow, just as long as they smile
Waterville, a village on the Ring of Kerry, became a second home for Sir Charlie and his family for many years due to the friendly hospitality on offer by the Huggard Family in the Butlers Arms Hotel… He and his family were perennial visitors to this local hotel. A famous comedian actor of the 1920s silent movies era, Sir Charlie Chaplin and his family enjoyed the life in this absolutely beautiful picturesque location because he could be anonymous. They appreciated the remoteness of the location, away from the trappings of fame, and Sir Charlie enjoyed many hours of fishing on Lough Currane – a beautiful, serene Lough located about 5 minute walk from Waterville Village.
The bronze life sized statue was unveiled in 1998 and overlooks Ballinskelligs Bay. It was designed by sculptor Alan Ryan Hall and jointly commissioned by the Chaplin estate and the local community organisation.
Sir Charlie Chaplin died at Manoir de Ban, Switzerland on Christmas Day, 25th December, 1977 aged 88 year
Life can be wonderful if you’re not afraid of it. All it needs is courage, imagination … and a little dough.
Calvero (Charles Chaplin) says this to Terry (Claire Bloom) in Limelight (1952)
Imagination means nothing without doing.”
From Chaplin’s manuscript notes
