Chaplin in the Sound Era: An Analysis of the Seven TalkiesThough Charles Chaplin is commonly remembered as a silent film comedian, it is not widely recalled that he continued to make movies long after the introduction of sound. His sound films have often been overlooked by historians, despite the fact that in these films the essential character of Chaplin more overtly asserted itself in his screen images than in his earlier silent work. Each of Chaplin's seven sound films--City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), The Great Dictator (1940), Monsieur Verdoux (1947), Limelight (1952), A King in New York (1957), and A Countess from Hong Kong (1967)--is covered in a chapter-length essay here. The comedian's inspiration for the film is given, along with a narrative that describes the film and offers details on behind-the-scenes activities. There is also a full discussion of the movie's themes and contemporary critical reaction to it. |
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actor Alistair Cooke American Culture André Bazin attempts audience Autobiography Barber began Brando Calvero career Chap Chaplin and American Chaplin Studios Chaplin's films Charles Chaplin Charles Maland Charlie Charlie's cinema Circus City Lights comedian comedy comic Communist Countess from Hong creative critics David Robinson despite Dictator early Edna Edna Purviance Essanay eventually father feature felt film's filmmaking final gags Gamin Georgia Hale girl Gold Rush Hannah Hollywood Hynkel Ibid Jaume Jerry Epstein Karno Kevin Brownlow Keystone King later Limelight lin's Lita Grey Little Fellow looking Modern Monsieur Verdoux motion picture move music hall narrative nonetheless Oona pantomime pathos Paulette performance perhaps played political popular production re-release recalled release role romance Rupert scene script seems sequence Shadov shooting silent film story Sydney Terry theater themes Tomanian Totheroh tour Tramp United Artists Unknown Chaplin vaudeville Woman of Paris York