Which tapes to buy?

My goodness...I leave for just a while and someone says that they can't see the 'magic' of a Chaplin film? (I hope I got that right!!) Seriously though..I appreciate people in this group and the vast opinions we can bounce off of eachother..I WELCOME IT! So anyway.....

I believe that I told someone one time that I saw the magic in a Chaplin film as being between laugher and tears, of good and evil, right and wrong and the golden tool of our imagination, which he makes us use, and is not given to us out right. In the theatre there is a quate (I have no idea who said it, unfortunately) that says 'Theatre is a way of saying 'I love you' to an audience. I like that alot, and think that it describes Chaplin. I feel as involved as he is in a way and don't feel that I have to 'know ' anything..for neither does he! He can be of any class, any occupation, anything is possible!! I think he is talented, but his complexity is something that performers like me can only hope to have.

Much Appreciated!!!!!! Bye, Jodi

THANKS!!!!!!

Hi all. I didn't mean to be rude when I said I don't see the 'magic' in Charlie Chaplin, it's just that as a child I really enjoyed his films, but now I don't get the same amount of pleasure as I did back then. I don't know what it is that affects me, maybe the poor quality of the tapes that I've seen them on. Also, the music contributes a lot to my enjoyment of a silent film. Right now I'm reading a book on Buster and it mentions CC a few times and shows some pictures w/Buster and Chaplin. Once I'm finished w/ that book I'll probably buy the one about CC. I guess it's just too hard to compete against Buster, to gain all my attention.

I'm sorry if I hurt anyone's feeling on Charlie Chaplin, now can someone recommend to me which tapes offer the best picture quality and musical score? Also is there a biography on video which you would recommend? Thank you, and sorry for causing such heartaches.

Robert, you haven't hurt my feelings a bit. On the contrary, I'm glad you care enough to want to develop a taste for Chaplin.

My experience is that most people tend to be naturally attracted to either Keaton or Chaplin, depending on their temperament. Chaplin comes more easily to me. I had to work even longer on Keaton than on Chaplin, but I'm glad I made the effort.

See my other post for recommendations.

Connie K.

Hello. I just wanted to respond and tell you that I, in no way, found your message 'rude'. This is a group discussion, and because their is bound to be some variety in views, we don't and shouldn't expect it all to be the same. I have had people tell me that his comedy is 'old fashioned', and that because movies have changed so much in the years, people expect more from performers than they did in 'those days'....but more what? More faces and grimices? More 'we'll put it all in front of you so that you can be sure to understand it' movies? I must get off my soap box...I'm a little too high up!! Anyway, the things that some see may not be seen as others see them...So I'm glad that your views exist.

As far as video biographies!!!!! Well, I have never seen a better one than 'The Gentleman Tramp' (Thanks to a very kind Chicago contact!). I'm sure that this video has been mentioned by others, but if I may brag about it..It has great information, great pictures, great narration, and is done in a very nice perspective.

I will not even pretend to know anything about picture quality, or music quality, so I can't be of help to you. (Although would someone please tell me if I may make the claim that Chaplin cared much more for the action and the contents of his pictures more than their cinematic quality.) However, I will tell you that I enjoy the music of The Kid, City Lights, The Idle Class and Limelight. Hope I helped!

Very Gratefully, Bye, Jodi

Lots of people think so. I'm more inclined to the theory that CC had his own ideas of 'cinematic quality,' which don't necessarily conform to those held by most people who think they know what 'cinematic quality' is.

My own view is that Chaplin's films are underrated as cinema, and that most of the cliches about what is wrong with his films simply don't hold up when one looks closely at what he does.

Connie K.