by Mario Cruz
Judging look-alike contests can be
somewhat objective. A good case in point dates all the way back to around
1915. The nation was in the grips of a "Chaplintis" phenomenon
and besides his numerous films, Charlie Chaplin look-alike contest became a
popular form of entertainment.
At these events, contestants would
compete to see who could best imitate the "tramp" persona championed
by Chaplin. Ironically, few people, even a ardent fan, could recognize
the real Chaplin without his familiar costume, makeup, and
mustache.
For example, a young actor / comedian
named Bob Hope, won one of these contests in Cleveland, Ohio.
According to entertainment folklore,
Chaplin himself once entered and lost one of these contests. But rather
than Monte Carlo or Switzerland, as legend has it, it was in San
Francisco. Also contrary to erroneous reports circulating the winner was
not his brother, Syd, and Charlie Chaplin did not come in second or third, he
did not even make the finals.
Chaplin was a good sport and had a good
sense of humor. He told a reporter at the time he wasn't upset at having
lost, but he was "tempted to give lessons in the Chaplin walk, out of pity
as well as in the desire to see the thing done correctly."
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