Modern Times

by Charlie Chaplin

USA - 1936

Sunday, June 2th • 2PM
Thursday, June 6th • 9AM
At Chaktomuk

Feature Film - 87mn

B&W

Silent Movie

ScreenplayCharlie Chaplin

CinematographyIra H. Morgan and Roland Totheroh

MusicCharlie Chaplin

CastCharlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman, Stanley Sandford, Chester Conklin

Format35mm – Mono

GenreComedy

First ReleaseFebruary 5, 1936

Restored Version2010

Awards100 Greatest American Movies - 1998 American Film Institute U.S. National Film Registry - 1988 Library of Congress

ProductionCharlie Chaplin - United Artists

SynopsisChaplin’s last ‘silent’ film, filled with sound effects, was made when everyone else was making talkies. Charlie turns against modern society, the machine age, (The use of sound in films ?) and progress. Firstly we see him frantically trying to keep up with a production line, tightening bolts. He is selected for an experiment with an automatic feeding machine, but various mishaps leads his boss to believe he has gone mad, and Charlie is sent to a mental hospital... When he gets out, he is mistaken for a communist while waving a red flag, sent to jail, foils a jailbreak, and is let out again. We follow Charlie through many more escapades before the film is out.

AboutCharlie Chaplin, considered to be one of the most pivotal stars of the early days of Hollywood, lived an interesting life both in his films and behind the camera. He is most recognized as an icon of the silent film era, often associated with his popular “Little Tramp” character; the man with the toothbrush mustache, bowler hat, bamboo cane, and a funny walk. Chaplin began his official acting career at the age of eight, touring with The Eight Lancashire Lads. At 18 he began touring with Fred Karno’s vaudeville troupe, joining them on the troupe’s 1910 US tour. He traveled west to California in December 1913 and signed on with Keystone Studios’ popular comedy director Mack Sennett. In 1919, he and Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and D.W. Griffith formed United Artists (UA).
Chaplin’s film The Great Dictator (1940), which was his first “talkie”, also created a stir. In the film, Chaplin plays a humorous caricature of Adolf Hitler. Some thought the film was poorly done and in bad taste. However, it grossed over $5 million and earned five Academy Award Nominations. Another scandal occurred when Chaplin briefly dated 22-year-old Joan Barry. However, Chaplin’s relationship with Barry came to an end in 1942, after a series of harassing actions from her. In May of 1943 Barry returned to inform Chaplin that she was pregnant, and filed a paternity suit, claiming that the unborn child was his. During the 1944 trial, blood tests proved that Chaplin was not the father, but at the time blood tests were inadmissible evidence and he was ordered to pay $75 a week until the child turned 21. Chaplin was also scrutinized for his support in aiding the Russian struggle against the invading Nazis during World War II, and the U.S. government questioned his moral and political views, suspecting him of having Communist ties. For this reason HUAC subpoenaed him in 1947. However, HUAC finally decided that it was no longer necessary for him to appear for testimony. Conversely, when Chaplin and his family traveled to London for the premier of Les Limelight (1952), he was denied re-entry to the United States. Chaplin was one of the rare comedians who not only financed and produced nearly all his films, but was also author, actor, director and music composer of most of them.

Selective filmography of Charlie Chaplin
(1889-1977)

1921 – The kid

1931 – City lights

1936 – Modern Times

1940 – The great dictator

1952 – Limelight

1958 – A king in New York

With the courtesy ofMK2 and Association Chaplin