It's 1972 and we're at the Academy Awards. Acad President Daniel Taradash does the historic introduction as Charlie Chaplin is welcomed back to Hollywood after a twenty year exile. Chaplin's politics had always been somewhat left-wing and a number of forces, including J. Edgar Hoover, decided he was dangerous or subversive or something of the sort. In '52 when Chaplin went to England for the premiere of his film Limelight, it was intended as a brief trip. But then Hoover and others moved to prevent his return, and Chaplin decided Switzerland might be a better place to live.
In '72 when he came back here to accept his second Honorary Oscar (his first was in 1929), he received what is said to be the longest standing ovation in the history of Academy Award ceremonies, clocked at a full five minutes. It has been edited down in this clip and a montage of Chaplin work has also been removed. As you watch it though, notice the quick shot of a grinning bald man in the audience. That's Jackie Coogan, who as a child actor appeared with Chaplin in The Kid. You'll also see Jack Lemmon come out on stage to hand Chaplin his famous prop cane and derby. It's not in this clip but then Lemmon then led the audience singing one of Chaplin's songs, "Smile." (Lemmon was one of four hosts that year. The others were Helen Hayes, Alan King and Sammy Davis Jr.)
