Charlie Chaplin, the iconic silent film comedian, was once on the verge of starring in a comedic Napoleon biopic written by none other than Winston Churchill. This intriguing collaboration, which could have been a groundbreaking film, never materialized, leaving us with a fascinating 'what if' scenario. The story begins with Chaplin, a Hollywood elite and emotional filmmaker, hosting a party in Santa Monica, California, in September 1929. Among the guests was an aspiring screenwriter, already 55 years old, who had served in political office but was now free to pursue his passion for writing and biography. This screenwriter, from England and later in America, was none other than Winston Churchill, an ambitious biographer working on a multi-volume book titled 'Marlborough: His Life and Times.'
According to Andrew Roberts' biography 'Churchill: Walking With Destiny,' the meeting between Chaplin and Churchill sparked a potential film collaboration. Churchill, an avowed cineaste, had the idea of writing a biography of Napoleon, with Chaplin playing the famed French dictator. The story goes that Churchill was happy to attend the gala, despite Chaplin's communist leanings, and the two got along swimmingly. By 3 a.m., they were already making Big Plans. Churchill would write a Napoleon script, and Chaplin would star.
Churchill's pitch to Chaplin was full of potential for humor, focusing on Napoleon in his bathtub arguing with his imperial brother, dressed in gold braid. However, it's unclear whether the film was meant to be an outright comedy or simply had comedic potential. We can only speculate that Churchill's pitch led Chaplin to make 'The Great Dictator' in 1940. It's worth noting that Churchill was well aware of cinema's power on the geopolitical stage, and he was a prolific writer who wrote history books, biographies, and even some fiction. However, none of his screenplays were ever made.
The potential collaboration between Chaplin and Churchill raises a deeper question: What if their Napoleon movie had been made? What would it have looked like? Would it have been a comedy or a more serious biopic? The answer remains a mystery, leaving us to wonder about the possibilities and implications of this unmade film. In my opinion, this story is a fascinating example of the creative potential that can arise from unexpected collaborations. It also highlights the power of cinema to shape our understanding of history and the human condition. Personally, I think it's a pity that the Napoleon comedy never came to light, but I'm grateful for the legacy of both Chaplin and Churchill, and the impact they've had on the world of film and beyond.
