Chaplin again vocalised his political views in '' Monsieur Verdoux '' , criticising capitalism and arguing that the world encourages mass killing through wars and weapons of mass destruction . Because of this , the film met with controversy when it was released in April 1947 ; Chaplin was booed at the premiere , and there were calls for a boycott . '' Monsieur Verdoux '' was the first Chaplin release that failed both critically and commercially in the United States . It was more successful abroad , and Chaplin 's screenplay was nominated at the Academy Awards . He was proud of the film , writing in his autobiography , " '' Monsieur Verdoux '' is the cleverest and most brilliant film I have yet made . " The negative reaction to '' Monsieur Verdoux '' was largely the result of changes in Chaplin 's public image . Along with damage of the Joan Barry scandal , he was publicly accused of being a communist . His political activity had heightened during World War II , when he campaigned for the opening of a Second Front to help the Soviet Union and supported various Soviet – American friendship groups . He was also friendly with several suspected communists , and attended functions given by Soviet diplomats in Los Angeles . In the political climate of 1940s America , such activities meant Chaplin was considered , as Larcher writes , " dangerously progressive and amoral . " The FBI wanted him out of the country , and launched an official investigation in early 1947
Academy Awards
20th Academy Awards
Charlie Chaplin