Moorman Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Another masterpiece from Chaplin. Most of you already know this film is considered a very personal drama and has autobiographical elements. Filmed later in Chaplin's career, it features Chaplin as past his prime Calvero, a stage clown. One day Calvero comes home to his boarding house and saves a neighbor named Terry ( Claire Bloom in her first major film role) from suicide. He takes her to his room with the assistance of a doctor he called. He nurses her back to health and finds out she is a ballerina with her own personal problems. They develop a friendship and Terry falls in love with Calvero albeit against his wishes due to a vast age difference. The film is just marvelous. Chaplin again directs, produces and helps score the film. Karl Struss did the wonderful cinematography. Due to problems going on in Chaplins life at the time of production of the film it was heavily boycotted in the United States upon initial release. The film was re-released in 1972 and the music score won a Oscar for Best Dramatic Score. Even THAT was controversial because it has come to light that Larry Russell ( who was awarded the Oscar along with Chaplin) had nothing to do with the film but that it was really Russell Garcia who had scored the film with Chaplin's assistance. Nevertheless, Garcia and Chaplin created a fantastic score for the film. Another major point about the film is the extended "Cameo" appearance by Buster Keaton. As fans know its the ONLY time that both Chaplin and Keaton were both featured in the same film. There was controversy about this appearance that was later refuted by people who knew Keaton. He and Chaplin perform a marvelous stage routine toward the end of the film that is just fantastic. I rate this as another masterpiece from Chaplin and give it a 10 out of 10... 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidChaplin Posted November 9, 2019 Share Posted November 9, 2019 This is one of my absolute top favorites of Chaplin! I agree in calling it a masterpiece and sometimes I find the end Chaplin/Keaton scene on Youtube to see it again and again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harry tuttle Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Just watched again last night. Eager to really understand the obvious (and lesser) parallels to his experiences. Buster K is pure bonus!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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