# Canuplin

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**Canuto Francia** (January 28, 1904 – September 4, 1979),[1] better known as **Canuplin**, was a [Filipino](/source/Philippines) stage performer and magician who gained fame for his impersonation of [Charlie Chaplin](/source/Charlie_Chaplin) in Filipino movies and the local [bodabil](/source/Bodabil) circuit.

## Biography

Canuplin was born in [Tondo](/source/Tondo,_Manila), [Manila](/source/Manila), but grew up in [Divisoria](/source/Divisoria).[1] At age 11, he won "best in costume" while dressed as Chaplin in a local fair. As his prize, he was employed as a [barker](/source/Barker_(occupation)) at a circus. Soon, he was featured in the circus as a magician's assistant, and he learned to perform magic tricks as well.[1]

## Early career

Canuplin was noticed by the bodabil producer [Lou Salvador, Sr.](/source/Lou_Salvador,_Sr.) and hired as a Chaplin impersonator. He gained fame performing his Chaplin act and various magic tricks on the Manila bodabil circuit, appearing alongside stars such as [Patsy](/source/Patsy) and [Bayani Casimiro](/source/Bayani_Casimiro).[1] He also ventured into such films as *Tinig ng Pag-ibig* (1940), *Luksang Bituin* (1941) and *Princesa Urduja* (1942). One of his most notable roles was as the court jester in the 1941 [LVN Pictures](/source/LVN_Pictures) production of *Ibong Adarna*. In many of his films, Canuplin would appear in his Chaplin guise, wordless as was the silent film star.[1]

## Later career

During the [Japanese occupation of the Philippines](/source/Japanese_occupation_of_the_Philippines#World_War_II_and_Japanese_occupation), film production was halted and Canuplin returned as a headliner in bodabil. He performed at the [Life](/source/Standalone_movie_theaters_of_the_Philippines#Life_Theater), [Capitol](/source/Standalone_movie_theaters_of_the_Philippines#Capitol_Theater) and [The Avenue](/source/Standalone_movie_theaters_of_the_Philippines#Avenue_Theater) theaters. After the war, he appeared in several other films until the 1950s.[1]

Canuplin ended his entertainment career at the bodabil circuit where he remained until its waning years in the sixties. His last years were spent in relative obscurity in Tondo, though still recognized by his peers.

His last movie was *Burlesk Queen,* released in 1977, with the actress [Vilma Santos](/source/Vilma_Santos).

## Death

Canuplin died on September 4, 1979, in Manila, Philippines at the age of 75.

## Legacy

After his death, the playwright Manny Pambid wrote a play, *Canuplin*, on the bodabil star's rise and fall. It was staged by the Philippine Educational Theater Association in May 1980.[2]

## Filmography

- 1930 – *Collegian Love*
- 1940 – *Tinig ng Pag-ibig*
- 1941 – *Luksang Bituin*
- 1941 – *Kung Kita'y Kapiling*
- 1942 – *[Princesa Urduja](/source/Princesa_Urduja)*
- 1947 – *Dalawang Anino*
- 1948 – *Waling-Waling*
- 1950 – *Tubig na Hinugasan*
- 1955 – *Salamangkero*
- 1961 – *Operetang Sampay Bakod*
- 1977 – *Burlesk Queen*

## Notes

1. Ma. Lourdes Maniquis (1994). "Philippine Theater". *CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art*. Vol. V. 1st ed. Nicanor Tiongson (ed.). Manila: [Cultural Center of the Philippines](/source/Cultural_Center_of_the_Philippines). p. 272. ISBN 971-8546-30-8.

1. ["Canuplin"](http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about_ncca/download/FINAL%20LAYOUT%20AGUNG%20NOV%20DEC%2006.pdf). *Agung*. Retrieved 2008-02-20.[dead link]

## External links

- [Canuplin](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2819980/) at IMDb

## References

- Ma. Lourdes Maniquis (1994). "Philippine Theater". *CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art*. Vol. V. 1st ed. Nicanor Tiongson (ed.). Manila: [Cultural Center of the Philippines](/source/Cultural_Center_of_the_Philippines). p. 272. ISBN 971-8546-30-8.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Canuplin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canuplin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canuplin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.