Spirit of Improvisation
Charlie Chaplin in conversation with Richard Merryman
Meryman: Can you talk about the moment you created the “Tramp” outfit?
Chaplin: It all came about in an emergency. The cameraman said put on some funny make-up, and I hadn’t the slightest idea what to do. I went to the dress department and, on the way, I thought, well, I’ll have them make everything in contradiction – baggy trousers, tight coat, large head, small hat – raggedy but at the same time a gentleman. I didn’t know how I was going to do the face, but it was going to be a sad, serious face. I wanted to hide that it was comic, so I found a little moustache. And that moustache was no concept of the characterisation – only saying that it was rather silly. It doesn’t hide my expression.
Meryman: What do you think was the great appeal of the Tramp?
Chaplin: There is that gentle, quiet poverty. That’s what I enjoy about the character – being very fastidious and very delicate about everything. But I never really thought of the Tramp in terms of appeal. The Tramp was something within myself I had to express. I was motivated by the reaction of the audience, but I never related to an audience. The audience happens when it’s finished, and not during the making. I’ve always related to a sort of a comic spirit, something within me, that said, I must express this. This is funny.
Welcome back! You may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Look forward to seeing you again...and again...and again!