Should He Have or Not?

In CITY LIGHTS, Chaplin prepared a scene with a little piece of wood stuck in a grate. The scene has been seen in UNKNOWN CHAPLIN. It is a self-contained sequence that Chaplin decided to edit out before releasing the film. Question: Should Chaplin have kept the scene in the film or not?

The same question goes for MODERN TIMES and the self-contained sequence of Chaplin trying to cross the street. Should Chaplin have kept this scene in or not?

~ Crooner

I think he should have left it in just for the imbecilic look of the kid who is watching him!!

I think City Lights is perfect, so I have to give it a big no.

No to Modern Times as well.

CC41689 (racking her brain to figure out a way to see Unknown Chaplin...)

'Who do you think you are

No. And I say that painfully, because I believe that scene is funnier than anything he DID include in the film. But it would have delayed the beginning of the plot too long into the film.

I recall that being much shorter, and therefore suppose it could have been fit in there somewhere.

Okay, this is strange for me. While I agree with you that the scene shouldn't have been included in CITY LIGHTS, but only because it doesn't really fit into the story in any way. (If the film was more episodic in nature, like MODERN TIMES, I might think you could insert it.) But I think the opening is wonderfully funny!! The nightclub scene is also a highlight. And the boxing scene is one of the funniest he's ever done. So don't know what you mean

I find this sequence, long, boring, and not funny. I think Charlie looked at it and felt the same way.

Now THIS sequence on the other hand, is short, snappy, inventive and perfectly in tune with the rest of the movie. It may be one of the best examples of the Tramp's inability to deal with society on IT's terms.

The cut sequence from 'The Circus' seen in 'Unknown Chaplin' is also very good and quite funny. But I could see why it got cut

CC41689 -

Run, don't walk, to your local video store and rent or buy THE CIRCUS (one of the top two or three funniest CC films) and UNKNOWN CHAPLIN (the single most important CC documentary ever made). You can buy them both online at jerre.com, if you can afford it.

CC41689...if you are lucky and have TCM they seem to show this about once a year, usually on Saturday nights at 7 Eastern time and in one hour installments. It is well worth the wait...also if you have a good public library you might check their A/V counter...Good luck!

Al

Thanks!!!!

CC41689 (who thinks there are some very nice people on this ng.)

'Who do you think you are

Will do, Mr. Phil!

CC41689 (about to assault the clerk at her local Blockbuster if he doesn't give her what she wants...)

'Who do you think you are

Good advice! Our main library in Vancouver has all of the above.