A Little Comedian's Time Capsule from 1940

I’m sure it’s obvious to you now, but I’m so moved by this scene when I remember that when Chaplin filmed this, America was not yet in the war. There was no guarantee the Allies would win—and Chaplain’s relationship with his world-wide audience was on shaky footing.

This is why it was important for him to own his own film company with Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks (United Artists).
This is why it was important for him to own the means of distribution. Even thought the Hayes office was a threat, he had the courage—and the money—to do good works for the rest of us.