2 cents

I spend less and less time on this list because of the political debates. They seem to have died down at the moment, but, unfortunately, no interesting discussions have replaced them.

So Chaplin was left-wing? Even if that was the full truth about his political views (which I don't think it is), all I can say to that is - so what?

I bet that if Chaplin _didn't_ realize that the Tramp's moustache looked like Hitler's and if he _didn't_ use that similarity to poke fun at Hitler, then some people would have accused him of being right-wing, with as much dogged perseverance as they now use to turn him into a supporter of Stalin's purges. We would be reading people who were saying that he might have been a secret admirer of Hitler ('Just look at the moustache, it's dead obvious!'.

Then why didn't you try to start something interesting instead of reviving a debate you're sure to lose? [Feeble whitewashing attempt snipped] Alan Glick

Surely, the Tramp character's (1914) moustach came before Herr Hitler's tash? I am not familiar with the chronology of facial excrescences for the late Fuhrer, but didn't CC once say his moustach came first... wasn't the admiration and possible emulation all Hitler's for Chaplin?

Losing a debate is inevitable ('sure to lose' only when the other side is completely closed-minded. And even then, only from their

Smiley wrote > Surely, the Tramp character's (1914) moustach came before Herr Hitler's : > tash? I am not familiar with the chronology of facial excrescences for the : > late Fuhrer, but didn't CC once say his moustach came first... wasn't the : > admiration and possible emulation all Hitler's for Chaplin?

: You're right. : Hitler 'copied' the moustache only after WWI

They weren't uncommon. The style was called 'the toothbrush moustache.'

Connie K.

Wrong. Losing a debate is inevitable when the loser presents views that disregard fact. Refusing to accept incorrect assertions is the evidence of a rational mind, not a closed one. Alan Glick

It seemed to me that what you were doing was reducing the arguments of those who portray CC as pro-Soviet as being nothing more than the proof-less witch hunting sentiments of extremists. I disagree with this portrayal.

Likewise. No hurt taken or offered.

Alan Glick