tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post7321642878728314224..comments2024-01-11T05:02:32.321-05:00Comments on Goodfella's Movie Blog: 1936: Modern Times (Charles Chaplin)Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-56869482392901566712009-12-14T23:04:31.345-05:002009-12-14T23:04:31.345-05:00Nice movie.Nice movie.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14798994086063888465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-11599775449959352352009-10-10T18:07:47.510-04:002009-10-10T18:07:47.510-04:00Modern Times is a great pick, a classic film, and ...Modern Times is a great pick, a classic film, and maybe the best of 1936. But as I've always preferred City Lights and The Gold Rush, I don't feel quite comfortable picking it. At any rate I've only seen it once, and repeat viewings might raise it in my estimation. I do like Paulette Goddard...<br /><br />My favorite film of 1936 would probably be the excellent Dodsworth, with great direction by William Wyler and a poignant performance by Walter Huston. It's been somewhat overlooked in the years since '36 but unfairly, I think.MovieMan0283http://thedancingimage.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-89701549550679172952009-06-13T19:40:40.600-04:002009-06-13T19:40:40.600-04:00That's pretty much how I found out Chaplin wro...That's pretty much how I found out Chaplin wrote it as well, John! I was familiar with the song, but realized that I didn't have the slightest idea who actually wrote it. Then when I saw that it was Chaplin, I figured it had to be a different "Smile" than the one I was looking for. But, obviously, they are one and the same.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-39250813592354999942009-06-13T19:09:10.482-04:002009-06-13T19:09:10.482-04:00Dave - Interesting you mention falling in love wit...Dave - Interesting you mention falling in love with the song "Smile" with the Clapton boot. Similarly, the first time I heard the song, was long before I ever saw a Chaplin feature. It was a version done by a group called The Letterman back in the 1960's. I always looked at who wrote the songs and it, of course, had Chaplin's name and I was naively shocked having no idea at that time that Chaplin wrote music.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808503055317962289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-55932077397510870732009-06-13T14:27:22.281-04:002009-06-13T14:27:22.281-04:00Thanks, Sam... on a barely related note, the way I...Thanks, Sam... on a barely related note, the way I actually first fell in love with the song "Smile" was before I was all that into film. It was actually from a collection of Eric Clapton bootlegs from the 70s! Clapton included it in his acoustic sets of the times.<br /><br />You're right about 1939... there might be a short delay there as I revisit some of the classics. There is a "clubhouse leader" for 39 at the moment, but I haven't completely decided yet myself.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-63448505778584939212009-06-13T11:18:43.306-04:002009-06-13T11:18:43.306-04:00My Favorite Film of 1936: MODERN TIMES (Chaplin)
...My Favorite Film of 1936: MODERN TIMES (Chaplin)<br /> <br />Runners-Up:<br /><br /> Une Partie de Campagne (Renoir)<br /> Mr. Thank You (Shimizu)<br /> My Man Godfrey (La Cava)<br /> Osaka Elegy (Mizoguchi)<br /> Rembrandt (Korda)<br /> Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (Capra)<br /> Swing Time (Stevens)<br /> Show Boat (Whale)<br /><br /> There is little question Dave, that your #1 choice is the Best Film of 1936, an assertion that is enthusiastically corroborated by John and others above. And I couldn't agree more with Samuel Wilson in referencing one of the greatest of all film volumes, Robinson's essential biography. Walter Kehr's "The Silent Clowns" is also a benchmark here. MODERN TIMES is my #2 Chaplin behind CITY LIGHTS, but it's a close call. Since you have begun on this fabulous adventure, Dave, I would dare say that 1936 is the best year in film easily to this point. Of course 1939 as expected will probably edge it out, and will a few others to come. But my own runners-up list is longer than I have ever submitted, but it's simple unavoidable. Renoir's masterpiece in particular, would have been #1 in almost any other year, except one headed up by this Chaplin masterwork, which as you rightly contend is so great it's almost impossible to describe.<br /> <br /> But describe it you have, and again in most captivating and persuasive terms. (not that anyone here needs to be persuaded! ha!) But your readers here are excited, and well they should be. Your historical and analytical account is again flawless.<br /><br /> To answer your question, yes it is almost impossible to nab a single scene as the greatest in this film, but forced to vote I would go with the opening assembly line segment.<br /><br /> And the only thing I will add to your review that I find must be added is the use of sound here (Chaplin began this as a silent) and particularly the emotional song "Smile" which gloriously brings to this film a tearful resonance and layer of depth that only the most universal works of cinema can rightfully exude. The scene midway with Chaplin and Godard, at the house, which introduces this great theme/song (written of course by Chaplin himself) is one of the truly great moments in the entire history of the cinema. It's a real weepie.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-36977641239651436232009-06-11T22:20:43.954-04:002009-06-11T22:20:43.954-04:00Samuel - I have the Robinson bio sitting with a gr...Samuel - I have the Robinson bio sitting with a group of books that are waiting to be read... similar to the stacks of DVDs I have waiting to be watched! I'm sure I'll get to them all eventually.<br /><br />On your other choices, Fury was one that I felt certain I would love the first time I watched it but it was just OK for me.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-30513790894916564202009-06-11T15:49:08.418-04:002009-06-11T15:49:08.418-04:00David Robinson's biography, if I remember righ...David Robinson's biography, if I remember right, has an excerpt from the aborted script for Modern Times, which Chaplin abandoned because the dialogue was coming out too whimsical for a tramp. The feeding machine is definitely the best bit, especially its punchline ("It just isn't practical"). In light of Shubhajit's comments, do you notice how little real working-class comedy there is in theaters today compared to the "Golden Age?" <br /><br />I'm inclined to agree with you on this one, Dave, but not before putting in a word for Fury, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, and a more guilty pleasure, Things to Come.Samuel Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934870299522899944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-84490746703301266092009-06-11T14:44:39.211-04:002009-06-11T14:44:39.211-04:00John - A lot of these moments bring a smile to my ...John - A lot of these moments bring a smile to my face just thinking about them too! The "nose powder" scene is probably my favorite. I'm still amazed that the censors let him include that in the film.<br /><br />Shubhajit - Great observation on the fact that in a lot of cases these are things that are deadly serious. It's a testament to Chaplin that it never feels patronizing... like he's just providing a way to deal with the situation without going completely crazy.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-62727805552376386562009-06-11T13:44:43.317-04:002009-06-11T13:44:43.317-04:00Though not my favourite Chaplin movie - that would...Though not my favourite Chaplin movie - that would be Gold Rush - Modern Times would nonetheless rank quite close. An incredible satire indeed, in the garb of farcical slapstick - like most of his movies were. The industrialization process - how machines slowly came to be a boon (increase production) and bane (downsize work force), quite strangely, forms the idea for the current movies - the kind of topic that only a Chaplin could perhaps have conceptualized.<br /><br />You made a great point about the movie in a way being an ironical reflection of the great man himself. Thats one juxtaposition that I'm not going to forget. My guess would be it was deliberate on his front.<br /><br />Chaplin could really make people crawl on the floor laughing, and at the same time feel a hard pinch for having laughed at something that ought to have caused pain, sorrow, distress and pathos. That kind of stuff makes me wonder what a giant Chaplin was - a complete antithesis to his physical stature. At the end all I can feel is awe - not just because of the kind of versatile genius he was, but also as to how the hell can a man be in possession of so much social awakening, empathy for fellow human beings, humour, wit and the ability to laugh at oneself - all at the same time!Shubhajithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-39191038990301258552009-06-11T13:04:39.516-04:002009-06-11T13:04:39.516-04:00Dave, you get no argument from on this being the...Dave, you get no argument from on this being the best film of 1936! As I read your review, I began laughing, not at your writing, but at the scenes you were describing so eloquently, I was visualizing them in my head. The film is pure genius, one his many masterworks! A superb choice and some excellent background information on the film. Finally, Paulette Goddard, so beautiful!!!! <br /><br />Other greats film from that year for me includes Libeled Lady, My Man Godfrey, The Petrified Forest, Fritz Lang’ s Fury and the Astaire- Rogers musical Swing Time. Coincidently, I recently recorded two other films from 1936 that I have not watched yet (Mr. Deed Goes to Town and These Three), so the list could change.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808503055317962289noreply@blogger.com