At The Clubs: His makeup had to be “the best”!

His similarity to the star was arresting and unsettling. 

Over 40 years ago …

The inimitable Charlie Chaplin played the clown “with gentleness and innocence … sometimes with a tragic mask.” So wrote Chaplin’s biographer, Robert Payne, in l964, at the height of the Chaplin renaissance. His popularity was again sweeping the world.

Another generation had discovered the master comic’s genius for creating laughter!

For almost 50 years the elfin-like Charlie, jauntily swinging his cane and wearing a seedy cut-away jacket, baggy trousers and dilapidated bowler hat, had captivated movies audiences all over the world.

Chaplin was the recognised supremo of his trade. And, as Payne commented in his bio, “there will never be another Chaplin.” But actors of varying talents have striven to mimic the great man.
 

F E A T U R E  

Many of the look-alikes have fallen short of the mark. Their carbon attempts have been an insult rather that a tribute to Chaplin.

Australia’s Paul Dalton is comic genius, one entertainer who can proudly stand apart from the others. His stage persona of Chaplin has elevated the art of mimicry in this country to an all-time high.

Some years ago, a critic stated that Dalton’s remarkable likeness to Chaplin “is arresting and unsettling in its intensity.”

Charlie Chaplin or Paul Dalton?
 

The critic added: “The perfect makeup and costume … his build and facial similarity add to the effects. His attention to detail is perfect as he portrays Chaplin’s gestures and mannerisms in what is a characterisation and not merely an impression – or an impersonation – of the comic’s genius.”

Now in early 60s, Dalton four years ago made a comeback to the club circuit after a ten year break.

“Clubs were demanding quantity not quality,” Dalton said. “I do 20 minutes at the most and the club managers wanted at least a 30 minute bracket. Well, you simply can’t do that without padding. I’m a sight act, and sight acts anywhere in the world are not on stage that long.”

Dalton was five years of age when he “first became aware” of Chaplin.

Charlie Chaplin’s grandson, James Thierree, was in Australia early this year for performances. Victoria Chaplin was 18 when she ran away to join a circus and Charlie Chaplin, her father, the silent star, wasn’t happy. James would have been delighted to see Paul Dalton in action.
 

“A few years later I used to sneak out of bed, climb through the window and dash off to the local cinemas and watch Chaplin at work. There was usually a hiding in store when I got home.”

In 1938, Dalton won a much-publicised talent quest sponsored by the Hoyts theatre chain. He became a professional entertainer a few years later.

Chaplin was a musician. His character developed from Dalton’s original magic act which he presented in the traditional top hat and tail outfit. It was not until he was stationed in Cairo during the Second World War that he decided to “give Charlie a go.”

He traversed every side street and alley in Cairo searching for clothing he could convert into a likely costume. Recalls Dalton: “It was in unlikely place to be doing it, but no more absurd Chaplin’s own humour.”

In those days, Dalton stored his stage props in a batted violin case. “I remembered Chaplin was a musician so it seemed appropriate and it worked well,” opined Dalton.

Part of Dalton’s set was made up of the original lamp post – a symbol of the “born loser” character made famous by Chaplin – which was “knocked together” for him 30-odd years ago by a stagehand at the Sydney Tivoli.

In a review of Dalton’s act, which appeared after his comeback, Encore magazine said: “Audiences will be entertained by the off-beat, silent humour of one of the “greatest make you laugh, make you smile” of all time, captured so utterly by Paul Dalton.”

Paul (Percy Patrick) Dalton died 91 in 2008. He was born 1917. 

Main: Paul Dalton as he appears on stage as Charlie Chaplin, elfin-like and jauntily swinging his cane.

 At The Club: Emmylou roars in - again

Stunning Emmylou Harris is so “versatile she has been critically acclaimed” in every country she has appeared. 

And to call Emmylou a country singer is to fall somewhat short of the mark. “The America-(Icelandic) singer is in Australia for her first concert tour, has 11-million top-selling albums and string of hit singles behind her,” I said.

Well, Emmylou Harris roars in – again.  With some 30 years as a performer, 15 albums and 12 Grammy Awards, Harris is the key figure in some of US’s most influential musical movements.

Emmylou roars in on her first visit. 
 

Just for the record, this is her THIRD visit to Australia in more than twenty years. “I’m going to see Emmylou Harris”, said Michael Catton, the noted actor. “I saw her some time ago in London and she had stood the test of time a lot better than I have.”

Emmylou Harris and the Red Dirt Boys appearance at the State Theatre (Sydney) promised two types of song: blue and zip-pity-doo dash.  Harris performed these songs with a break “from mournful too fragile to airy to resolute with ease”, said the reviewer.

Said the reviewer: “An elegantly sad version of her sublime quasi-gospel Boulder to Birmingham and before a touching take on the enigmatic tragedy Poncho and Lefty.” After a couple of hours of riveting songs, the crowd got its feet.  “And I’m please they did,” said the reviewer.

When old age catches up. Now, in her 70s, Emmylou Harris can still belt it out.

Emmylou Harris and Mark Knopfler - Red Dirt Girl (LIVE)