Three famous artists in the American art world

Let me introduce three famous artists in the American art world.

Chaplin (left) in his first film role, Making a Livin' (1914)

Charlie Spencer Chaplin (1889-1977) was an English comedian, screenwriter, filmmaker, and composer, best known in the United States. As a filmmaker, Chaplin is considered a pioneer and one of the most important figures in cinema in the first half of the 20th century.

Chaplin's childhood was poor. His father was a singer and his mother sang in music halls, both of whom were poor. At the age of six, he went on stage to dance. In late 1913, he was discovered by the talented American filmmaker Mack Sennet (1880-1960).

The following year, Chaplin made a series of 35 films for Hollywood, all about chasing and throwing cakes. Chaplin created a typical image: melon hat, mustache, duck walk, waddling, big shoes, baggy pants, representing the wanderer, lovelorn guy who overcomes a thousand hardships thanks to humor, dignity, cunning and luck.

The films made in the period 1916-1918, with careful preparation and his serious working and creative spirit, are considered excellent works. Chaplin always criticized the powerful and the police, demanding that every "civilian deputy" be respected.

When the “talkies” appeared, Chaplin intended to quit the film industry. But after three years of hard work, he made City Lights (1931), a heartbreaking work shown in Europe. The Great Depression suggested that he make Modern Times (1936). Fascism was on the rise, war was about to break out, he “committed” to the film The Dictator (1940). He was attacked by reactionaries. He made Mr. Verdoux (1947) with a “black humor” tone. The anti-communist McCarthy movement in the US caused a stir, he decided to leave the US and return to Europe to introduce Stage Lights (1952). His above films are ranked among the best films of all time.

With his fourth wife and children, he lived in seclusion in Switzerland for 25 years until his death. He wrote his memoirs from 1958 to 1962.

Greta Garbo (1905-1990), real name Greta Lovisa Gustafsson, a Swedish-American, was the greatest female star of classical Hollywood cinema. She was the third child of a poor working-class family. From her school days, Garbo was interested in the arts; at the age of 14, she played the role of an ancient Greek maiden who sacrificed herself for her father and country in the school play Iphigénie. The successful performance made Garbo dream of becoming an actress even more.

Considered one of the greatest screen actresses of all time, Garbo was known for her melancholy character portrayals. Her performance and screen presence quickly established her as one of Hollywood's greatest actresses; she was an international star during the late silent era and Hollywood's "Golden Age".

According to film historian and critic David Denby, Garbo brought sophistication to the art of silent acting and that its impact on audiences cannot be overstated.

Garbo began her career with a supporting role in The Legend of Gösta Berling (1924), based on a popular novel by Swedish writer Selma Lagerlöf. Garbo's performance caught the attention of Louis Burt Mayer (1884-1957), who brought her to Hollywood in 1925. Garbo attracted attention with her first American silent film, Torrent (1926).

Garbo's performance in Angels and Demons (1926), her third film, made her an international star. Other famous films from the silent era include The Mysterious Lady (1928), The Only Standard (1929); The Kiss (1929). Garbo continued to act in talkies such as Mata Hari (1931), Susan Lenox - Her Fall and Rise (1931), Grand Hotel (1931), Queen Christina (1932), Anna Karenina (1935)... Garbo retired from the screen at the age of 35 after making 28 films (of which half were silent and the other half were talkies). She refused every opportunity to return to the screen, shunned publicity and lived a reclusive life.

Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) was an American actress, model and singer. She was the most iconic and powerful “star” idol and legend that the “dream machine” of American and world cinema had ever produced.

In the 50s and early 60s of the 20th century, Monroe symbolized the perfection of sensuality in the female body. Standing, sitting, walking, whatever her movements, Monroe always gave the impression that she was aware of the attractiveness of her body, of the body that brought her glory. In terms of sociology, the West in the second half of the 20th century considered her the leading flag of the sexual revolution, an aspect of the women's liberation movement.

But on the other hand, Monroe was sober enough not to be fooled by the personality that cinema wanted to create for her through her roles. She was a real talent in acting, not just a model who showed off her skin in a trivial way.

Monroe starred in many films, including some major ones such as: Niagara (1953) about a woman with unusual charm and suspected of murdering her husband; Men Prefer Blondes (1953), creating the familiar image of the "dumb blonde"; River of No Return (1954), Seven Years of Thought (1955), one of the biggest box office successes of her career, Bus Stop (1956). She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in the film Some People Like It Hot (1959).

Of the more than 30 films Monroe starred in, none is considered perfect, but all contributed to creating the image of a woman who embodied sex and beauty. Long after her death, she remained a major icon of popular culture. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Monroe sixth on its list of the greatest female screen stars of Hollywood's golden age.

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