Replies to various CC Posts

I think Virginia Cherill's performance in CL was fine. There's no question that she wasn't an actress, and that she had little innate talent. But under Chaplin's direction and tutelage, she gave an entirely credible and moving performance. I totally disagree that she gave a non-performance. Just watch her face in that last scene.

The scene that gave CC so much trouble with the flower was their initial meeting, not the closing. And Chaplin was quite correct in stating that if the audience is thinking about continuity, there's something wrong with the film (or the viewer). I must have seen it twenty times before I even noticed the different positions of the flower in his hand.

I don't have quite as many problems with KINY as some of you. I think that the satire on McCarthyism stands today as the boldest (and perhaps the only) comment made on it in the decade in which it was happening. Of course CC was out of the USA at the time, and therefore safe from recriminations, but it was bold nonetheless. I agree with Connie, it has some great gags - CC pantomiming his dinner order in the restaurant comes to mind- and some good satire on American pop culture, and some of the music is quite good. Little Michael's subvocalizations of CC's lines was unfortunate, as was his too strident performance.

I can't select a favorite between CIRCUS and GOLD RUSH...I just can't. It's like asking a parent to pick a favorite child. I love them both for different reasons. They're both brilliant pieces of acting and directing. TGR is more poetic and epic, TC argueably funnier. The scene in GR when CC first enters the dance hall and is photographed from the back, accentuating his loneliness and separation from the others, the New Year's scene of him standing outside the window..just amazing. I don't think that TC 'fell out of favor' as John suggests. It just wasn't seen until its re-release in 1970.

Allison - What in CL do you find confusing? While your choices for favorites are all in my top ten, to me CL is CC's masterpiece.

Re. the CC clock - I haven't seen that one, but today I received a CC wall clock that's delightful in its tackiness. It's black and white, full figure of the Tramp, without detail in the face and the legs swing back and forth. I get a giggle everytime I look at it.

Re. CC music recordings - the Villard recording has a good selection, is well played, but the arrangements are pretty unimaginative. The German CD, 'Oh! That Cello', on Jaro Records is lovely, with some wonderful playing. I'm waiting for the new Davis CD, which is still only available in Europe. Hooman says its good. And I may have to spring for the CHAPLIN REVUE cd, as expensive as it is.

There's also the Munich S.O. recording on Silva that's not bad. You can probably still get the MODERN TIMES soundtrack on vinyl as well. Oh yeah, there are those Blue Moon cds of the CC scores lifted right off the soundtracks, but the sound repro is pretty bad.

Couple things....

I love City Lights...but it does have one continuity problem that is either absolutly unforgivable or on purpose as a test on Charlie's part. I only noticed it after the 47th viewing so I like to think it's a test (of whether the audience is immursed in the story or is watching for flaws....).

Its the scene when Charlie has come back from street sweeping and he's in his white uniform. He takes off the coat but not the pants. When he goes over to the sink to wash his hands he has his black pants on! Anyone else ever notice this?...

On the subject of soundtracks - is the MCA -Chaplin Revue CD available in the US? I WANT one! I also would love to see the Modern Times soundtrack reissued on CD - preferably at a longer length with hopefully ALL of the music. Whatever source was used for that album/LP was SUPERB - it was obviously a master tape of the original orchestral recording before the sound effects were dropped in and before it was transfered into an optical track for the sync soundtrack. WHERE IS THAT MASTER TAPE NOW! - Bruce

'When I think of a million dollars...TEARS come to my eyes...' - Charles Chaplin

I think what we see on Virginia Cherrill's face in that last scene is relief that this interminable shoot is finally going to be over, and that she'll never have to deal with this maniac director again.

Tom Moran

I didn't notice that continuity problem until I saw City Lights on the big, big, big, big, screen at the Eastman Theater in Rochester NY when the Rochester Philharmonic performed the live score. It was very strange to see damn near 1/4 of the huge screen flash from white to black in an instant!

Do you know the title or other specifics about the Carl Davis CD of Chaplin music? I have asked about it here at several local stores and they don't have it and don't know anything about it!

I have this CD in my hand now. I bought it two years ago in a big Montreal, Canada music store, Archambault Musique.It's the original film score of City Lights recorded in 1931 with the orchestra conducted by Carl Davis.The music is superb. The exact name of the CD is : Charlie Chaplin CITY LIGHTS. The CD was made in England in 1991 by SILVA SCREEN records. Telephone 071-284-0525 Fax 071-482-2385.

I work just in front of that music store. I can check for you if there is any copy left. Also I can tell you the price in canadian dollars. Let me know. Also, I know that store ship by mail.

The earlier one is called 'Charlie Chaplin: City Lights,' and is on the Silva Screen label. You can order it from any store which takes orders. There is (or was) a copy in my local Best Buy store.

On the same label (Silva), you can also get a more wide-ranging selection of Chaplin music orchestrated and conducted by Francis Shaw and played by the Munich Symphony Orchestra. I don't like all the arrangements, but some of them are good, and the fuller orchestra is a plus. This one is called 'Charlie: Music from the Classic Films of Charles Chaplin'; it can also be ordered.

Connie K.