Silent Traces

Edited by John Bengtson
Published by Santa Monica Press

Uncovering tidbits of the history of Los Angeles and the early film industry that are hidden within Charlie Chaplin’s timeless films, this stunning work of cinematic archeology combines Chaplin’s movie images with archival photographs, vintage maps, contemporary photographs, and scores of then-and-now comparison photographs to conjure up the silent-movie era from an entirely new perspective. Through his research of the locations used in such classic Chaplin films as The Kid, City Lights and Modern Times as well as Chaplin’s lesser known but equally brilliant short films and early work, the author illuminates both Chaplin’s genius and the evolving city that served as the backdrop of his art. Part time machine, part detective story, this title presents a truly unique look at Chaplin’s work, and a captivating glimpse into Hollywood’s most romantic era.