Harvey Weinstein says Charlie Chaplin was his ‘idol’ – he certainly seems to have taken after him

The Conversation ^ | November 6, 2017 | Richard Carr

[Enchante]

In February 2012 Harvey Weinstein co-hosted a dinner to honour Charlie Chaplin’s services to the movie industry. In attendance that night, among many Hollywood stars, was Rose McGowan, who has since levelled accusations of rape against Weinstein. Asked about the occasion, Weinstein then remarked that he regarded Chaplin to be “one of my idols, certainly”. At the time, this appeared to be a fairly run of the mill commemoration in Tinseltown, but, in the light of recent revelations about Weinstein, we may now have to view it in a rather different light.

The Weinstein story is in part a parable of unchecked male power, wealth, and the implicit protection that comes with both. And as Weinstein knew, Chaplin had enjoyed similar privileges for decades. The specific accusations levelled against both cinema titans may not be identical, but they stem from similar sociological roots. As I note in my recent biography of Chaplin: “Charlie was a nightmare to be married to and a person with questionable sexual ethics across the board.” Perhaps this undersells it.

Though Weinstein’s actions were of a different order, the ill treatment of women in Hollywood is nothing new. From Edna Purviance in Chaplin’s World War I-era comedies through to Paulette Goddard in 1940’s The Great Dictator, almost all Chaplin’s leading ladies ended up sleeping with their director. The only major exception, City Lights’ Virginia Cherrill, was still partly cast by Chaplin based on her “shapely form in a blue bathing suit”. In casting sessions for previous films Chaplin’s aides reported his eyes going “up and down” what they called “lithe young” bodies. It can hardly have been a pleasant atmosphere on his sets.

[Enchante]

Interesting comparison of Swinestein's behavior with his hero Charlie Chaplin.

[Enchante]

I don’t know anything about Charlie Chaplin’s “women”/(girls).... beyond what is said in this article. At least one was very very very underaged. Were the others “willing” participants or what was the life for an aspiring young actress in that era? Probably a lot worse than now in many ways....

[Red Badger]

In like Flynn?...................

[Sans-Culotte]

Chaplin seemed to like his women (girls?) young, but I can’t see comparing him to Swinestein. For a number of years, his leading lady was Edna Purviance until she became a bit too old and matronly-looking. And it was easy to cast someone like Virginia Cherrill on her looks alone, as they were making a silent film.

[WKUHilltopper]

WeinSwine’s heroes come from the 70s porn movie “Flesh Gordon”.

[katana]

Interesting comparison there. The difference being Flynn womanized based on his looks, charm, and star status. Chaplin also had the power of producer, director, as well as being the most famous movie star of two plus decades. Both men were amoral goats. But Flynn's reputation was well known outside Hollywood and something he confirmed in his hugely entertaining autobiography, My Wicked, Wicked Ways.

[Gay State Conservative]

Is that to say that depravity in showbiz isn't a recent phenomenon? Color me stunned!

[Bob434]

you talkin about erol flynn? IF so- he was both a murderer and a pedophile- and had a mansion in which he had rooms bugged and videotaped peopel without their knowledge havign sex- he had STD’s and likely infected many women, some underaged-

look up his mansion- Most Everyone knew about it after awhile- it was a well known open ‘secret’- he was a true disgusting creep-

[Lizavetta]

Here's what alcoholism and drug abuse can do to accelerate the aging process. Errol Flynn at his peak, and at the end when he died at the age of only 50:

[Bob434]

that’s pretty sad- he looked like he was 70-80 there-