The Intimate Charlie Chaplin [Library Binding]

May Reeves (Author), Constance B. Kuriyama (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2001

Many of those who knew the intimate Charlie Chaplin documented his life and their perceptions of him in their writings. One of the most fascinating and revealing of these accounts has, until now, been available only in French. May Reeves' portrait of Chaplin (as told to Claire Goll) covers their year-long relationship during his 19311932 vacation in Europe. The enigmatic actress and dancer Reeves, in chronicling her relationship with Chaplin, both elaborates on and offers contrasts to the popular impressions of her brilliant travelling companion. Constance Brown Kuriyama has translated Reeves' original Charlie Chaplin Intime into English, and also includes an introduction, and a translation of reminiscences by Chaplin's press agent, Carlyle T. Robinson, which until now have also been difficult to obtain.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

May Reeves first published her memoir in Paris in 1935. Constance Brown Kuriyama is an associate professor of English at Texas Tech University. She has written for such publications as Film Quarterly and Limelight. She lives in Lubbock, Texas.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 159 pages
• Publisher: McFarland & Company (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786407352
• ISBN-13: 978-0786407354
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,227,568 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed this one., May 11, 2005

By 

J. Lewis "Information Junkie" (AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Intimate Charlie Chaplin (Library Binding)

To me, this book is the most accurate and balanced portrayal of Chaplin of those writings by his lovers (Lita Grey and Georgia Hale's books leave much to be desired and are written SO MANY years after the fact). In the beginning, this work is most in line with the Chaplin we know and love onscreen...I enjoyed the tale of him miming as he tells May the story of a boat trip, the morning of which he took too many laxatives ("I don't believe I ever smiled so tragicomically..." he says). From her descriptions, you can almost see him telling such goofy stories. All in all, I felt this was a balanced portrayal of Chaplin's complexities and contradicitons. Recommended.