[Livingston]

Any Charlie Chaplin fans out there? I'm a huge fan! City Lights, The Gold Rush and The Kid are my favorites. How 'bout you guys?

[Zardoz]

Hmm an interesting man. Comic pioneer in film for sure.

Also had a problem with underage girls. Sadly, he could never make the transition to talking pictures with his comedy successfully.

Wasn't his remains dug up, and held for ransom at some point?

[NCC-73515]

Modern Times is my favorite.

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by NCC-73515

Modern Times is my favorite.

That was a good one, but I think The Gold Rush is the Chaplin classic.

[MissionTrek08]

Somewhat amusing story, at least to me: I owe my enjoyment of and fondness for silent film classics like Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd to... of all things, Shakey's Pizza Parlor. Back in the late 60s/early 70s it used to be quite a family destination for dinner (mmm, MoJos!), and periodically they would dim the lights and show silent-era shorts. It was a fun way to introduce these classic to a kid like me, and I learned to appreciate them.

Chaplin's technique is both amazing in its precision... and somewhat astonishing that he ever completed a film, especially in his feature-length era. The production stories on his difficulties completing CITY LIGHTS are fascinating.

Though to be honest, I prefer Buster Keaton's films to Chaplins in that I think his much less-sentimental character holds up better today. This is less of an issue with Chaplin's shorts as The Tramp though. Part of my preference arises from the story of Keaton's difficult life and eventual rediscovery by critics and fans out of the shadow of Chaplin's legacy. Somehow I identify more with Keaton's character and work.

Still, all enjoyable and treasured work!

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by MissionTrek08

Somewhat amusing story, at least to me: I owe my enjoyment of and fondness for silent film classics like Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd to... of all things, Shakey's Pizza Parlor. Back in the late 60s/early 70s it used to be quite a family destination for dinner (mmm, MoJos!), and periodically they would dim the lights and show silent-era shorts. It was a fun way to introduce these classic to a kid like me, and I learned to appreciate them.

Chaplin's technique is both amazing in its precision... and somewhat astonishing that he ever completed a film, especially in his feature-length era. The production stories on his difficulties completing CITY LIGHTS are fascinating.

Though to be honest, I prefer Buster Keaton's films to Chaplins in that I think his much less-sentimental character holds up better today. This is less of an issue with Chaplin's shorts as The Tramp though. Part of my preference arises from the story of Keaton's difficult life and eventual rediscovery by critics and fans out of the shadow of Chaplin's legacy. Somehow I identify more with Keaton's character and work.

Still, all enjoyable and treasured work!

Turning ot a more serious note, what about the amazing charater/makeup work of Lon Chaney?

[Elizadolots]

Originally Posted by MissionTrek08

Somewhat amusing story, at least to me: I owe my enjoyment of and fondness for silent film classics like Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd to... of all things, Shakey's Pizza Parlor. Back in the late 60s/early 70s it used to be quite a family destination for dinner (mmm, MoJos!), and periodically they would dim the lights and show silent-era shorts. It was a fun way to introduce these classic to a kid like me, and I learned to appreciate them.

Chaplin's technique is both amazing in its precision... and somewhat astonishing that he ever completed a film, especially in his feature-length era. The production stories on his difficulties completing CITY LIGHTS are fascinating.

Though to be honest, I prefer Buster Keaton's films to Chaplins in that I think his much less-sentimental character holds up better today. This is less of an issue with Chaplin's shorts as The Tramp though. Part of my preference arises from the story of Keaton's difficult life and eventual rediscovery by critics and fans out of the shadow of Chaplin's legacy. Somehow I identify more with Keaton's character and work.

Still, all enjoyable and treasured work!

Shakey's is where I got my early introduction to the classics too!

[MissionTrek08]

Originally Posted by Zardoz

Turning ot a more serious note, what about the amazing charater/makeup work of Lon Chaney?

Another genius and pioneer! Glad you mentioned him, Z.

I have a very early memory of seeing Chaney in HUNCHBACK, specifically the scene where he's being whipped in the courtyard. The pain and humiliation suffered by his character may well have been the genesis of my interest in and sympathy for movie monsters. Same with PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Yet watch his "straight" work in THE UNHOLY THREE or THE PENALTY to see what a powerful actor he could be "without" makeup too (although binding yourself to appear as if your legs are amputated was just as difficult a character trait as a 40-pound hump of plaster).

[Zardoz]

Originally Posted by MissionTrek08

Another genius and pioneer! Glad you mentioned him, Z.

I have a very early memory of seeing Chaney in HUNCHBACK, specifically the scene where he's being whipped in the courtyard. The pain and humiliation suffered by his character may well have been the genesis of my interest in and sympathy for movie monsters. Same with PHANTOM OF THE OPERA.

Yet watch his "straight" work in THE UNHOLY THREE or THE PENALTY to see what a powerful actor he could be "without" makeup too (although binding yourself to appear as if your legs are amputated was just as difficult a character trait as a 40-pound hump of plaster).

Did you forget his "old lady" for that film?

Or this for The Penalty?

The Unholy 3, which he remade as a talkie later on is probbaly his best charater work onscreen. Not his best makeup granted, that goes to Phantom.

It amazed me the physical pain he'd endure to make his chartaters come to life.

[MissionTrek08]

Well, that's exactly why I qualified my comment as "without" makeup, since clearly he didn't abandon it all together. But dressing up as an old lady is a quite different task than being the Hunchback or Phantom.

How I wish a full print of LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT still existed!