Charlie Chaplin's look, for apparent reasons is arguably the first thing a person mentally pictures when his name is mentioned. Even if the person has never heard of him, they'll probably know who your talking about when you say, "you know the little guy with the baggy pants, bowler hat, mustache, and the cane". Well some of those signature items end were apparently sold by Bonhams for $150,000. (Check out Bonham's if you want to buy Sir Elton John's Piano)So what about the rest of Chaplin's gear, well you can go to eHow and figure out how to make ur own version of Charlie's get up, or simply google charlie chaplin costume and you will find 100's of tutorials and websites that either teach you how to, or will sell you a Charlie Chaplin Costume.
I havent been able to find any info to back this up but
IMDB states the origin of his outfit as: 'with the help of 'Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle's pants. Arbuckle's father-in-law's derby, Chester Conklin's cutaway, Ford Sterling's size 14-shoes, and some crepe paper belonging to Mack Swain (which became the tramp's mustache). The only item that actually belonged to Chaplin was the wangee cane.'
Regardless, whether it's Chaplin's actual costume selling, or the millions of imitations that get shipped out every year a few weeks prior to October, it's clear that there was definitely something special in what Chaplin wore. But of course what he wore would not nearly be as special if he didn't do what he did.
2 comments:
I'm sure we all know that Harold Lloyd's signature look as "The Boy" was the circular horn-rimmed glasses. He once said, "At a cost of 75 cents they provide a trademark recognized instantly wherever pictures are shown." I thought it was interesting that a simple little outfit/look could be so iconic
The story goes that Chaplin needed a costume for the movie and borrowed one from fellow actor Billie Ritchie. Billie was already doing a tramp like character with bowler hat, cane, large shoes, baggy pants, even a short moustache. Charlie went out, made the film as The Tramp and the rest is history. After the movie Chaplin gave the costume back to Billie. Sadly, Billie died a few years later after having an accident on a film where we was hit by an ostrich. Billie's wife kept his costume and in the 30s Chaplin actually ended up visiting the wife again and signing the cane. The original costume, complete with signed cane by Chaplin, boots, pants, vest, jacket and bowler hat went up for auction in 2005. The costume ended up going to Plymouth where it is currently being displayed.
I took photos which you can see on my BLOG
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