THE CHAPLIN CENTENNIAL: A CHAPLIN NOVELLA AND MODERN TIMES

THE CHAPLIN CENTENNIAL: A CHAPLIN NOVELLA AND MODERN TIMES

5 February, 2014

This is a special and exciting week for fans of Chaplin and classic cinema. And if you’re a fan of either, you’re a fan of both.

This week we celebrate and mark the historic occasions when Chaplin made his film debut (“Making a Living”, Keystone, released 2 February, 1914), and his character The Little Tramp made his debut (“Kid Auto Races at Venice”, Keystone, released 7 February, 1914).
  

And today, as we mark the debut of Modern Times, which opened on February 5^th, 1936 and was the last screen appearance of Chaplin’s Little Tramp character, it was announced that a novella written by Chaplin will be published. 

Chaplin’s only known work of fiction (he had also written and published his biography in his lifetime in 1964, and a photobook called “My Life in Pictures” in 1974, “Footlights” is a novella that is the precursor to the screenplay and film LIMELIGHT. 

CHAPLIN’S NOVELLA “FOOTLIGHTS”
“Footlights” was written in 1948, and was reconstructed by Chaplin biographer and film historian David Robinson, and researchers at the Cineteca di Bolongna, an Italian film restoration institute. Multiple drafts of the manuscript to “Footlights” were found in the Chaplin archives in Switzerland, and the Chaplin Estate gave the parties permission to reconstruct the literary work. The novella essentially tells the story told in Chaplin’s film LIMELIGHT, but has a more somber, sadder edge to it.

The novella can be ordered from Amazon or from Cineteca HERE. It goes on sale at The British Film Institute on Tuesday.

Here is a charming scene with Chaplin and Claire Bloom:

MODERN TIMES

 Chaplin’s last film to use his immortal character of The Little Tramp opened on 5 February, 1936. Chaplin’s Jewish Barber in THE GREAT DICTATOR, although bearing a great resemblance to the tramp, was quite a different little fellow.

Here is the classic factory scene from MODERN TIMES:

Original Images and Text © Mark Redfield 2014

CHAPLIN CENTENNIAL: THE GREAT ACTOR DEBUTS IN CINEMA 100 YEARS AGO ON 2 FEBRUARY ,1914

MAKING A LIVING debuted 100 year ago today...

Charlie Chaplin's first appearance in a motion picture by the public was in the Keystone comedy Making a Living, released on 2 February, 1914.

The familiar and beloved Little Tramp character is not to be found in this knock-about farce from Mack Sennett's comedy factory. Chaplin plays a very different type in his motion picture debut.

Making a Living was directed by Henry "Pathe" Lehrman (nicked named "Pathe" by D.W. Griffith himself, for Lehman lied about working with the French company Pathe in order to be hired whe he started with Griffith and Biograph in New York years before...).

 Chaplin (left) and Henry "Pathe" Lehrman (right).

Making a Living features Chaplin as a sharp swindler "Edgar English", Virginia Kirtley as the daughter, Alice Davenport as the Mother, Henry Lehrman as the Reporter, Minta Durfee as the Woman and Chester Conklin as the Policeman (and as a bum). The infamous Keystone Cops also make an appearance and help give chase at the end.

Here is a print of the film:

CELEBRATING CHAPLIN'S CENTENNIAL 1914-2014

This year I'll be posting a great deal about one of my favorite actors and filmmakers--Charles Chaplin.

Having spent chunks of my life studying his work and his life, I find myself compelled once again to look at his work closely in the hopes of learning, and enjoying, so much more.

Here's to Charlie--the master poet of the cinema!

-Mark Redfield
1 February, 2014

"Charlie" (2009) by Mark Redfield
Acrylic on canvas. 18x24

Original Images and Text © Mark Redfield 2014