In the late 1920s , Chaplin was nominated for an Academy Award for acting , writing , directing and producing `` The Circus , '' but he was taken out of the running and presented with a `` Special Award '' instead . Internet users claim they ' ve spotted a ` ` cell phone '' from 1928 . The supposed phone is seen in the background of a Charlie Chaplin movie .
Internet users claim they ' ve spotted a ` ` cell phone '' from 1928 . The supposed phone is seen in the background of a Charlie Chaplin movie .