There are some performers who are good, some merely average and some who are just brilliant.

And, for me, one of those who falls into the latter category is the legendary Charlie Chaplin, star of the early years of film who was best known for playing the forlorn character known as "the Tramp" or the 'Little Tramp'.

Born into poverty in London in a dysfunctional family, with a mother who suffered poor mental health, by the time Charlie was seven he was being 'cared for' in a workhouse and various schools for destitute children. When he was 14 he was caring for his mum who then was committed to an asylum and Charlie was homeless once again.

But he was a natural performer and he made ends meet doing lots of different jobs and performing on stage. Age 14 Charlie had registered with an agency which gave him access to work, including in a circus. By the time he was 18 Charlie was signed to the Fred Karno comedy company. Other young comedians and actors included another British performer who would become an icon of the silent movie era -  Stan Laurel.

Eventually the work with Fred Karno took Charlie to America for a 21-month tour of theatres on the vaudeville circuit, which was then followed by a second tour of the USA during which time Charlie was invited to join the New York Motion Picture Company, to be part of their wacky Keystone Studios.

Chaplin signed his contract in September 2013 and arrived in Los Angeles in early December. In fact today - December 16th in 1913 - has gone down in history as the date that Charlie Chaplin began work for Keystone Studio ... which is why I'm posting this today.

He was on set for Keystone for the first time on 5 January 1914 and he made his first film appearance in the movie Making a Living. His trademark character - 'the Tramp'  - first appeared in his second film, also in 1914, a movie called Kid Auto Races at Venice.

Charlie was just 24 when he created the character for which he would become renowned and which would become an iconic figure in movie history. He is a mixture of a bumbling good hearted chap, a vagrant who tries to behave like a gentleman, even though he is at the bottom of the social pile. He's cunning and a survivor, childlike in his innocence at times and often trying to outwit the law. 

Charlie Chaplin went on to act in and produce and direct many movies. He had a colourful life ... private and public ... but he is still best known as 'the Little Tramp'. That's the image that stands firm in the public memory. 

But what some people may not know is that Charlie was also a talented musician and composer. In fact, he wrote one of my favourite songs - SMILE.

It was first composed as an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for Charlie's 1936 film Modern Times. The title and lyrics were added in 1954 by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons.

The words seem to echo some of Charlie's own heartbreak, and the pathos of his most famous character. But it also encourages us all to smile through any tears that may come.

So today, to mark the day when Charlie Chaplin began his foray into film, which would result in a legendary career which means he's part of world history ... let's listen again to this fabulous song.

It's the version - my favourite version - by another iconic entertainer, Nat King Cole, and of course, it features that Little Tramp.

Enjoy!