The enigma at the heart of film's biggest star

Charlie Chaplin

**By** Peter Ackroyd

**Chatto & Windus,** €18.90

**Reviewed by** Brendan Daly

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In 1910, a company of pantomime performers sailed from England on a ship that was little better than a cattle-boat. Bound for the lucrative US music hall circuit, the troupe included the then unknown Stan Laurel.

As they approached land, Laurel remembers one of the actors running to the railing, removing his hat, and shouting: ''America, I am coming ...