On the set of Limelight with writer Dick Richards.

On the set of Limelight.

Charlie substitutes momentarily for Claire Bloom on the set of Limelight. His son, Charlie, Jr., is kneeling next to the bed.

Photo by W. Eugene Smith.

The presentation of the Calvero character from Chaplin’s novel, Footlights.

This novel, which was never published or even intended for publication, was written as a preliminary to the 1952 film, Limelight. It took over 3 years to complete & more than 30 pages are dedicated to the past of the characters, Calvero & Terry (nine pages are given to the romance between Calvero and Eva Morton, who would become one of his five wives).  Early versions of the Limelight screenplay reveal that Chaplin originally wanted to integrate the backstory of the characters into the film. Actresses were hired to play Terry as a child, as well as her mother and sister. Chaplin later abandoned this idea.

Several pages from Footlights are reproduced in the book, Limelight: Chaplin Project No. 1 —an informative, but very hard-to-find book which was compiled by the Chaplin Archives.  The scan from the Footlights novel comes from my copy of this book about the film.

Chaplin’s handwritten lyrics to “Spring Song” from Limelight (1952).

Directing Limelight.

Limelight (1952)

“Kippers. Aren’t they superb?” —Calvero

Charlie holding his Oscar for Limelight (best original score).  Even though the film was completed in 1952, it was not given a theatrical run in Los Angeles until 1972, and was only then eligible for recognition.

Happy Birthday, Claire Bloom (February 15, 1931)

Charlie poses in the clown costume from Limelight.

Charlie & Claire Bloom on the set of Limelight. Chaplin’s half-brother Wheeler Dryden is in the clown costume.

Oona joins her husband for lunch during the filming of Limelight. Oona would often bring Charlie hard-boiled eggs or pineapple and cottage cheese.