Charles Chaplin's 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.

Ben's story takes place in 1977 and is told in words. Rose's story in 1927 is told entirely in pictures. Ever since his mother died, Ben feels lost. At home with her father, Rose feels alone. When Ben finds a mysterious clue hidden in his mother's room, both children risk everything to find what's missing.

Before making a name for himself as an undisputed master of cinema, Charlie Chaplin first developed his acting, writing, and directing skills at Keystone Studios. This book examines each of these films, assessing the important early work of a comedian who became a timeless icon.

Take a new look at Charlie Chaplin--through the music he composed for his films. Take a new look at Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977) through the music he composed for his films. Chaplin began his silent-film career in 1914, and with the invention of his character the Little Tramp, he became a screen icon. When sound was introduced in 1927, Chaplin--a self-taught musician--not only wrote scores for his new films, but also composed soundtracks for earlier works, and deftly created comic sound by interweaving sound effects and music.Though he worked with what he termed "musical associates" who helped with notation and orchestration, all his scores sound recognizably "Chaplinesque" and some of his tunes are classics: "Smile" and "Eternally" have been covered by musicians worldwide. Published to accompany an exhibition at the Paris Philharmonic, this new book is fully illustrated with photographs, documents, and ephemera from the Chaplin archives.

🌟 Discover the Life and Legacy of a Cinematic Genius! 🎬 Dive into the captivating journey of Charlie Chaplin in "Charlie Chaplin: The Icon of Comedy." This comprehensive biography unveils the man behind the screen legend, from his humble beginnings to becoming one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. 🔍 About This Book: "Charlie Chaplin: The Icon of Comedy" offers an in-depth exploration of Chaplin's life and his monumental contributions to film and comedy. Each chapter meticulously details significant periods of his life: The Early Years: Uncover Chaplin's childhood, family background, and initial steps into the world of entertainment. Rise to Fame: Follow Chaplin's extraordinary journey from local stages to the pinnacle of silent film. Mastering Silent Comedy: Delve into Chaplin's unique style and how he revolutionized the genre of comedy. Iconic Roles and Performances: Relive Chaplin's most memorable roles and their lasting impact on cinema and culture. Chaplin in the Sound Era: Explore the challenges and triumphs Chaplin faced during the transition to talkies. Off-Screen Persona: Get a glimpse of Chaplin's life outside the film studio, including his personal relationships and political views. Legacy and Influence: Reflect on Chaplin's enduring impact on the film industry and his status as a cultural icon. 🌟 Why Read This Book? Gain insights into the struggles and triumphs of a man who forever changed the face of cinema. Understand the significance of Chaplin's work in the context of film history and societal evolution. Be inspired by the resilience and creativity of one of the greatest entertainers of all time. 📚 Perfect for: Film enthusiasts and Chaplin admirers. Students and scholars of film history and silent cinema. Readers interested in biographies of cultural icons.

Garbo talked, Gilbert self-destructed and Chaplin refused--that's about all many people know about silent film actors who faced the transition into talking pictures. Yes, Greta Garbo's talkie debut was successful, John Gilbert's was disastrous, and Charlie Chaplin did not deign to make one for over a decade. But there were many others--both stars and lesser lights--who also made the leap for at least one talking film. From Renee Adoree to Loretta Young, over 500 actors and actresses who made at least three silent films and had some starring or supporting roles in sound films are included in this reference work. For each performer, the place of birth, vital dates, nicknames if any, real name if different from stage name, and a source for filmographic data are included. This information is followed by capsule accounts of the performer's silent and sound careers, along with contemporary reviews of selected talkies in which they appeared.

This text offers readers a look at the time when sound was a vexing challenge for filmmakers and the source of contentious debate for audiences and critics. The author presents a view of the talkies' reception, amongst other issues.

"This book is a visual and oral history, telling the story of Chaplin's pursuit of beauty, and how he captured it on film. Compiled primarily from documents in the Charlie Chaplin archives, as well as other archives around the world, this book shows how Chaplin's work was not only inspired by his early poverty-stricken life in London, but also by his working life in the music halls of Britain and on the vaudeville stages of America."--Introduction, page 9.

Charlie Chaplin's remarkable life and comedic talent have been the focus of countless popular and scholarly studies. In this groundbreaking work, Chaplin's often underrated skills as a film director take center stage. Highlighting the screen icon's significance as a filmmaker, this study focuses on the heart of Chaplin's cinema--his silent works starring his alter-ego, Charlie--and examines both his great silent film features like The Kid, The Gold Rush and Modern Times, and his shorter, earlier films like The Immigrant, The Pawn Shop, The Pilgrim and A Dog's Life. An analysis of the formal properties of Chaplin's filmmaking reveals the merit of his cinema, the depth of its emotion and the extent of its meaning. Chaplin is among the great artists of any medium, in any time, with an ability to touch on very subtle aspects of the human condition.