Born into a theatrical family, Charlie Chaplin's father died of drink while his mother, unable to bear the poverty, suffered from bouts of insanity. All this did not hinder Chaplin from embarking on a film-making career which won him immeasurable success, as well as intense controversy. This biography, first published in 1964 was written almost entirely from memory by the 75-year-old star. It is a vivd reconstruction of a poor London childhood, the music hall and then his prodigious life in the movies.