MP3 of the Day

On this day in 1972, Charlie Chaplin returned to the United States for the first time since 1952. During the era of McCarthyism, Chaplin was suspected of being communist sympathizer, and J. Edgar Hoover instructed the FBI to keep extensive secret files on him. In 1952, Chaplin left the US for what was intended as a brief trip to the United Kingdom for the London premiere of his film, Limelight. J. Edgar Hoover learned of the trip and issued instructions to the Immigration and Naturalization Service to deny Chaplin's re-entry to the United States. Hearing this, Chaplin wrote: "Since the end of the last world war, I have been the object of lies and propaganda by powerful reactionary groups who, by their influence and by the aid of America's yellow press, have created an unhealthy atmosphere in which liberal-minded individuals can be singled out and persecuted. Under these conditions I find it virtually impossible to continue my motion-picture work, and I have therefore given up my residence in the United States." Chaplin then made his home in Vevey, Switzerland. He triumphantly returned to the United States on this day in 1972, with his wife, to receive an Honorary Oscar. He was welcomed warmly. Today we have the song The Big Trip by THE WINTER CLUB.