4. The Work Of Charlie Chaplin
The Myth: Charlie Chaplin entered a Charlie Chaplin lookalike contest. And lost. Few actors have such a distinctive look as Charlie Chaplin. With his oversized bowler hat, scruffy suit and of course that iconic moustache, even one hundred years after he first hit big he is still incredibly recognisable. A mainstay of Halloween parties, his look is so simple anyone can have a good go at it. Except the man himself. Always game for a laugh, Charlie himself once entered a Chaplin lookalike contest, only to lose terribly.
The Shocking Truth: Its a made up tabloid story. Dont believe everything you read would be a suitable moral to take from this. Or more accurately, dont believe everything you read unless you can find its source. Gossip mags aren't a modern construction and its their 1920s equivalent that led to this myth exploding. The story allegedly originates from the impossible to track Lord Desborough and was slowly picked up by gossip columns and exaggerated to its now mythical status. Theres rumours Chaplin or his son mentioned the tale, but any case of this is unsubstantiated.