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You'll never find rainbows if you're looking down.

Charlie Chaplin, 'Swing Little Girl', 1969

Philosophy

The story behind the card

The line comes from “Swing Little Girl”, a song Chaplin wrote for the 1969 re-release of The Circus, his 1928 silent comedy in which the Tramp becomes the unwitting star of a travelling circus. A hired singer recorded it first, without success, so the arranger Eric James suggested recording Chaplin too, just for his family. That version, sung by Chaplin at 79, is the one in the film. It plays over the opening credits as Merna Kennedy swings on a trapeze.

Türkçe oku
Yere bakarken gökkuşağını asla göremezsin.
Charlie Chaplin, “Swing Little Girl”, 1969

Bu dize, Chaplin'in 1928 yapımı sessiz komedisi Sirk'in 1969'daki yeniden gösterimi için yazdığı “Swing Little Girl” (Sallan, küçük kız) şarkısında geçer. Filmde Şarlo, gezici bir sirkte farkında olmadan gösterinin yıldızı olur. Şarkıyı önce bir erkek şarkıcı seslendirdi, ama kayıt beğenilmedi. Bunun üzerine aranjör Eric James, yalnızca ailesi dinlesin diye Chaplin'in kendi sesini de kaydetmeyi önerdi. Sonunda filme 79 yaşındaki Chaplin'in sesi girdi. Şarkı, açılış yazıları boyunca Merna Kennedy trapezde sallanırken çalar.

Sources and further reading

Background reading: The Circus (1928 film)
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