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WATCH: Did you know that Malta once had its very own Charlie Chaplin?
What a throwback!

Kim Vella

Local archival project Malta Audio Visual Memories took to social media to tell the story of the country's very own Charlie Chaplin.  

Interviewee Raymond Farrugia recalls how his father, George Farrugia, once dreamt of becoming a priest....  

Funnily enough, it was this very dream that led him to discover the genius works of Charlie Chaplin.  

Over the years, George’s love for Charlie Chaplin grew and he eventually started performing in Sliema where he slowly yet surely began to gain a following.  

It wasn’t long before it became almost impossible to not come across George! 

Charlie

The performer would often be invited to put up shows in bars and different establishments. Variety show producers would ask him to perform with other local artists. George was also very active in the annual carnival. 

After returning from his travels in Belgium, he found it hard to find a job and ended up performing at the casino. This is where he was eventually discovered by a producer from the BBC who invited him to go to the UK to film a series about Malta's Charlie Chaplin.  

Charlie

George's last movie was directed by Elio Lombardi and was produced in colour. As with all great legends, the era of black and white television came to an end, and with it, so did Charlie Chaplin.     

Share this with a Charlie Chaplin fan! 

25th November 2022


Kim Vella
Written by
Kim Vella
A highly curious explorer always looking to find her next adventure. Kim loves sharing her experiences and what's happening on the Maltese Islands. When not writing, you’ll probably find her playing around with some clay or somewhere surrounded by trees. She's always up for listening to people's stories about anything to do with nature, a passion project or issue you feel needs tending to.

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