Today in History – Charlie Chaplin banned from entering U.S.

CAIRO – 19 September 2017: September 19, 2017 is the 65th anniversary of the day legendary British comedian Charlie Chaplin was banned from reentering the U.S. in 1952.

It was the height of the red scare; where paranoia against Communism was reaching absurd levels and the U.S. government was well on its toes for anything it could paint as “The Red Menance.”

Chaplin, known for his renowned role as an Adolf Hitler parody in 1940’s "The Great Dictator," had been banned from entry to his home in Hollywood until he could be cleared by immigration officers, though no reason was given.

Though Chaplin had been living in the U.S. for 40 years, he was still legally considered a British citizen. The actor had been under suspicion of being sympathetic to causes related to the left, and had caught the anger of the government after he accused their efforts in suppressing communism as a denial of free speech and violation of civil rights. Chaplin was eventually blacklisted from working in Hollywood.

Having had enough, Chaplin moved with his family to Switzerland, only setting foot in America 20 years later to accept an award at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, recognized for his immeasurable contributions to modern cinema.