Chaplins Uniqueness

This thread addresses Chaplin's 'unique' contributions as a performer and/or to screen comedy. Contributions that NO ONE else is able to duplicate. There may be many areas to cite, but let me cite just one. Some of you may include yours.

Charlie had this quality that I've NEVER seen in any other performer, male or female. And that quality was his GRACEFULNESS. There isn't another performer that could duplicate his dance with the globe, his dance of the rolls,.... his, his,..... well, just the way he moved in any given situation. Why, even the way he glided as he fell off a ladder in THE PAWNSHOP. His whole way of movement was a dance.

In the Meryman article in LIFE magazine, Chaplin reflected upon the meeting with the blind girl and why it took so long to film. He stated, 'Everything I do is a dance...He holds (the flower) in front of her eyes, just makes a gesture. Pure dance....A contour hurts me if it's not right.'

Each part of his body was under his control at all times and, with that body, he formed lines & contours that DEMANDED long shots to display that gracefulness of movement

This aims at another of Chaplin's 'unique' qualities. He was able to *create* a position for himself in which he answered to virtually no one except himself in the creation of his filmic art. This allowed him the 'luxury' of making sure every contour *was* right, as he saw it.

Others have often previously mentioned as well, his understanding and *subtle* use of the techniques that allowed this control to be displayed to its best advantage. You mention the 'long shots.' It was also his manipulation, on very understated levels, of film speeds to insure that it *appeared* as if he 'glided as he fell off a ladder in THE PAWNSHOP' regardless of what the reality may have been. It may not be accurate to describe his use of that technique as being unique to him, but if anyone consistently mastered it better, I haven't seen it.

: ONE else is able to duplicate. There may be many areas : to cite, but let me cite just one. Some of you may include yours. : : Charlie had this quality that I've NEVER seen in any other : performer, male or female. And that quality was his : GRACEFULNESS. There isn't another performer that : could duplicate his dance with the globe, his dance of the : rolls,.... his, his,..... well, just the way he moved in any given : situation. Why, even the way he glided as he fell off a : ladder in THE PAWNSHOP. His whole way of movement : was a dance. : : In the Meryman article in LIFE magazine, Chaplin reflected : upon the meeting with the blind girl and why it took so long to : film. He stated, 'Everything I do is a dance...He holds (the flower) : in front of her eyes, just makes a gesture. Pure dance....A contour : hurts me if it's not right.' : : Each part of his body was under his control at all times and, : with that body, he formed lines & contours that DEMANDED : long shots to display that gracefulness of movement

Even Pola Negri complimented him on this, and she didn't have very many complimentary things to say in her memoirs.

There are so many unique things about Chaplin's films that I don't know which one to single out. But off the top of my head, I'd say his combination of comic brilliance and great dramatic depth, both as an actor and as a scenarist, is unique.

Connie K.