Chaplin: The rogue behind the reels
Legendary comedic film actor and producer brings vaudevillian, slapstick presence to Film Series for eight weeks
By: Beth Prusaczyk
Issue date: 8/31/06 Section: Culture
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Charlie Chaplin had many roles. He was the man with the short, thick, black mustache that danced dinner rolls across the table. He was also the man who created numerous satirical films raising social issues.
Webster Film Series Director Mike Steinberg said Chaplin's staying power is attributed to his involvement in everything - comedy, music, acting, directing, dance, philosophy and politics.
The Film Series will be presenting a few of Chaplin's many roles for eight weeks from Aug. 25 through Oct. 15 in the Winifred Moore Auditorium. A different Chaplin film will be screened each weekend along with one of his short films.
While his politics may be evident in his films, the Film Series is celebrating him as an artist and an amazing figure, Steinberg said.
"Charlie Chaplin is very possibly the most universally known film actor in the world," said Webster film studies professor Kathy Corley.
Corley said Chaplin's creation of the character The Tramp allowed him to make commentary on class inequities and issues with a mass audience. As The Tramp, Chaplin plays an awkward fellow who gets into trouble despite his good heart. The Tramp is recognizable with his black derby
hat and cane.
Chaplin directed and starred in "The Great Dictator" in 1940. Steinberg called this film about Adolf Hitler a dark, political satire. Corley said this was a bold move during a time when many were silent about Hitler and
Nazi Germany.
Chaplin's films, however, are not all politically charged. Steinberg said most Chaplin fans consider his greatest work to be "City Lights" in which his friendship with a millionaire allows Chaplin to become the benefactor and suitor of a blind girl.
Steinberg said while the average cinema fan might not recognize a Chaplin film by name, they will recognize the iconic moments such as the dance of the bread rolls in "Gold Rush." In this scene Chaplin puts two dinner rolls on forks and makes them dance across the tabletop.
Webster Film Series Director Mike Steinberg said Chaplin's staying power is attributed to his involvement in everything - comedy, music, acting, directing, dance, philosophy and politics.
The Film Series will be presenting a few of Chaplin's many roles for eight weeks from Aug. 25 through Oct. 15 in the Winifred Moore Auditorium. A different Chaplin film will be screened each weekend along with one of his short films.
While his politics may be evident in his films, the Film Series is celebrating him as an artist and an amazing figure, Steinberg said.
"Charlie Chaplin is very possibly the most universally known film actor in the world," said Webster film studies professor Kathy Corley.
Corley said Chaplin's creation of the character The Tramp allowed him to make commentary on class inequities and issues with a mass audience. As The Tramp, Chaplin plays an awkward fellow who gets into trouble despite his good heart. The Tramp is recognizable with his black derby
hat and cane.
Chaplin directed and starred in "The Great Dictator" in 1940. Steinberg called this film about Adolf Hitler a dark, political satire. Corley said this was a bold move during a time when many were silent about Hitler and
Nazi Germany.
Chaplin's films, however, are not all politically charged. Steinberg said most Chaplin fans consider his greatest work to be "City Lights" in which his friendship with a millionaire allows Chaplin to become the benefactor and suitor of a blind girl.
Steinberg said while the average cinema fan might not recognize a Chaplin film by name, they will recognize the iconic moments such as the dance of the bread rolls in "Gold Rush." In this scene Chaplin puts two dinner rolls on forks and makes them dance across the tabletop.
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