Baggy trousers, huge out-turned boots, a dilapidated bowler-hat, and an absurd toothbrush moustache — that's the Charlie Chaplin we all love.

This book, written after many discussions with Charlie himself, describes his personality as revealed in his chief films and tells much about his life. Including, his precarious London childhood, his early stage work, his screen comedies with Fred Karno and Mack Sennett, and his triumphs in the later great films.

Payne also traces the development of the Clown from Ancient Greece through Pierrot and Punch, Grimaldi and Dan Leno, and shows how Charlie's genius for creating laughter follows that great tradition.

Praise for Robert Payne:

'A full-sized portrait of a genius, so far as I know the most thorough attempt to describe Chaplin's life and work.' — Daily Telegraph

'Mr Payne is steeped down to his pen in his protagonist's magic, and being a historian, a philosopher and something of a poet as well, he has written a fascinating book.' — Spectator