Entertainers and Performers

Entertainers and Performers brings together the actors, singers, dancers, comedians and filmmakers whose work shaped popular entertainment in the twentieth century, from the silent-film era through Hollywood's studio years and the rise of radio, recordings and television. What unites them is craft: disciplined performance, memorable storytelling and the ability to reach audiences across generations and borders. Representative figures include Charlie Chaplin, whose Little Tramp spoke to audiences without words; Audrey Hepburn, admired for her grace on screen and her humanitarian service; Fred Astaire, who set a lasting standard for dance on film; and Alfred Hitchcock, whose suspense films are still studied by filmmakers today.