Charlie Chaplin and A Woman of Paris - by Wes D Gehring (Paperback)

About the Book

"Popular with middle America throughout the 1920s, Charlie Chaplin's A Woman of Paris (1923) has had an enduring influence on cinema history. Contrary to some criticism, the film was not just Chaplin's recycling of the Peggy Hopkins Joyce story. Indeed, he drew on a series of romances for inspiration during production-including the films of Pola Negri-as well as his own earlier movies. Based on extensive new research, this book covers the making of the film in detail and reveals what other works on A Woman of Paris got wrong"--

Book Synopsis

Charlie Chaplin's A Woman of Paris (1923) was a groundbreaking film which was neither a simple recycling of Peggy Hopkins Joyce's story, nor quickly forgotten. Through heavily-documented "period research," this book lands several bombshells, including Paris is deeply rooted in Chaplin's previous films and his relationship with Edna Purviance, Paris was not rejected by heartland America, Chaplin did "romantic research" (especially with Pola Negri), and Paris' many ongoing influences have never been fully appreciated. These are just a few of the mistakes about Paris.

Review Quotes

"Gehring remains supreme in film comedy scholarship"-Choice

"Gehring's book helps strengthen what had been a weak link in the chain of understanding [of Chaplin's] remarkable career."-Shepherd Express

"Just about anything with film historian and media writer Wes D. Gehring's name on it will be of quality."-Cinema Retro

About the Author

Wes D. Gehring is a distinguished professor of film at Ball State University and associate media editor for USA Today magazine, for which he also writes the column "Reel World." He is the author of 40 film books, including biographies of James Dean, Carole Lombard, Steve McQueen, Robert Wise, Red Skelton and Charlie Chaplin.