Charles Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks walking in the Studios
Item
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Title
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Charles Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks walking in the Studios
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Date
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1920
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Description
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The photography in black and white shows Douglas Fairbanks (left) and Charlie Chaplin (right) arm in arm walking away from the camera with backs facing .
They appear to be walking around a studio set in beautiful sunshine.
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Scholarly Significance
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Backs facing the camera can feel authentic as the subjects seem to be unaware of the photo being taken. However it can in some extreme cases make the subjects look pompous or self-absorbed. It could perhaps have that effect here as they feel so famous that people will know its them even from behind.
Hiding your face from the camera can suggest you are trying to hide something from others. in this can it could be suggested the talks they have are secretive and this photo displays this secret that divides the public and the stars.
This shot is from a distance and feel as if this is as close as we are allowed to get, like a barrier is stopping us from getting closer.
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This photo aside from the backs facing camera describes the friendship between Firbank and Chaplin. Arm in arm shows their closeness and affection for one another. Something unusual and can be classed as stereotypically 'un-masculine'.
Their creation of United Artists ties into this friendship and their strong relationship which is set to last.
The bright sunlight also highlights the joy within the shot. A happy photo which is coupled with a form of pathetic fallacy.
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Place
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Hollywood
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Rights
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Charlie Chaplin Archive
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Identifier
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ECCI00027106, X012
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Cataloguer
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Alex Bartholomew
