How many of you are fans of Charles Chaplin's memorable performance in the "Great Dictator"?

Question

..especially the moving speech in the end, I think I can recall it every word and sentence. This brings to my next question - what was Charles Chaplin's political affiliation - was he a "Communist"? A "Fabian" - any helpful links would be appreciated in advance thanks

Indeed, he was wa ahead of his times - moves me to pieces when I recall a segment of that brilliant speech, just ponder over the words (I think President Bush could be made to concentrate on these lines for a while):

Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical. Our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery we need humanity. More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost….

Answer 1

I think he was just "misunderstood", and ahead of his time. Its rather ironic that he is responsible in large measure for getting the Americans involved in the war effort, and was chastised for not coming back to England to join the draft. He helped the English out in a huge way, but it was not understood until later that his contribution was actually extremely important to the victory in Europe. His use of the word "comrades" was probably not meant to be indicative of communists, but at the time that is what the word was associated with. Ironically again, the Soviet Union was our ally in WWII, and only afterwards was it our enemy again. Charlie Chaplin was right - and ahead of his time, which is not always an easy place to be.

Answer 2

sorry, I can't stand Charlie Chaplin - he always looked like a pervert to me.

Answer 3

yes,I'm one.
try the link below it is his official website.