I was supposed to follow up my Alexandria, Virginia series with some more photos of the place but I will digress for just a bit. Although I haven't written much about movies on this blog, I do enjoy watching good movies regardless of whether a film is a new release or a classic. I developed an interest in movies from my mother's side of the family.
My maternal grandfather loved going to the movies as a hobby and it was through him that I first heard of the great comedian Charlie Chaplin (1889-1977). My grandfather loved to talk about the Chaplin movies he enjoyed, especially those he saw during the pre-war "peace time" period. The Chaplin movies he loved were The Gold Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), and Mr. Chaplin's semi-autobiographical movie, Limelight (1952). Mr. Chaplin became famous for playing the role of "The Tramp", a gentleman vagrant who always managed to do the honorable and decent thing in spite of the very rough and tough circumstances he was in.
Mr. Chaplin was heralded as the complete artist for not only did he star in his films, he also produced and directed them, wrote their script, scored their music, and whenever the story called for it, he even choreographed the dances.
I'm wondering then if anyone can copy and perfect the following performance as a way to entertain friends either over lunch or dinner:
The scene above featured Charlie Chaplin in the classic movie "The Gold Rush" released by United Artists back in 1925. Mr. Chaplin called this particular scene "The Dance of the Rolls" and it showed him perform it before a group of lady friends. The clip captures how Mr. Chaplin brought two seemingly ordinary dinner rolls to life by mimicking a ballerina's dance to the obvious delight of his little audience.
The genius of Mr. Chaplin shines in this scene for one can just imagine the amount of creativity, timing, and physical coordination required to present such gem of a performance. He made the movements seem so easy when in fact they were far from being so. Johnny Depp copied the same movements 68 years later in a movie called "Benny and Joon" (1993) where he played the role of an eccentric who cared for and won the heart of a mentally ill woman. In a later interview, Mr. Depp stated that the performance was quite difficult for it took him three weeks to copy, rehearse and perfect Mr. Chaplin's moves.
The following video clip compares the two performances:
With no offense meant towards Mr. Depp, one can clearly see that Mr. Chaplin appeared more relaxed in his performance and thus his moves appeared a lot more fluid. I do not know how many hours Mr. Chaplin devoted to prepare for such a fine performance but one thing is clear, this performance is but one of the many reasons as to why to this day, Mr. Chaplin continues to be both an idol and an influence to many career film and television comedians.
26 responses:
there is a grace to the man that is inimitable. those who try do so in tribute, and only prove Chaplin's greatness.
BTW, i posted an answer to your comment re: Chet Atkins' Glow Worm :)
nice post parekoy! i also discovered the tramp at a young age so i introduced my children to chaplin's films last year. it was a hit with the kiddies. aside from that dance of the rolls my other fave scene is when he has thanksgiving dinner with his boiled shoe and he eats the laces like they were spaghetti
chaplin did it better.
i think it's because chaplin imagined every move.
depp merely copied him.
imagination always wins talaga.
i gave my father in law a collection of chaplin movies. i hope he liked it. :)
sincerely,
nobe
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Bambit,
Right. I think he truly was the greatest given the number of comedians, American and foreign, who continue to study his films and pattern their acts after him.
Thanks for the answer. :)
Madbong23,
I got to watch his movies such as Modern Times sa Cubao when I was a kid back in the 1970s and at a time when some of his movies were rereleased to the public.
I do remember that funny spaghetti scene. I also remember the scene where he appeared as a chicken to a hungry and hallucinating companion. :)
Atticus,
I agree that Chaplin did indeed perform the dance better. "The Original is always the best," wika nga ng the late Inday Badiday. Oops! :D
Nobe,
For certain he will enjoy those movies. You don't need to worry about it. :)
Thank you very much for the visit. Much appreciated.
You know what they say: imitation is the highest form of flattery. But we still long for the original, right? :)
Photo Cache,
Yes, it is. Nobody has even come close to matching him in terms of all-around talent. Truly a remarkable man.
I have, or rather, had a collection of Chaplin movies on VHS tapes. Unfortunately, all of them were wiped out due to dusts and fungus before I was able to transfer them on disc.. bummer.
Pards, you should try and watch "Monsieur Verdoux" and "The Great Dictator", those two were my favorite.
Also, try and look for a copy of the last movie he wrote and directed, "The Countess from Hong Kong", starring Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando. Diyan galing yung song na "This is my song" which he also penned by the way. :-D
Well Johnny Depp did farely well given that he was just imitating a genius like Charlie Chaplin. Halata bang fan ako ni Johnny Depp? hehe ;)
Rudy,
I liked The Great Dictator, a pretty brave film he made during the time when Hitler was still lording it over Nazi Germany.
As far as Monsieur Verdoux and The Countess From Hong Kong, I've only seen bits and pieces of both movies at this point. I still have to see both in their entirety. However, I will watch both one of these days.
He was a great composer for aside from This Is My Song, he also wrote Eternally for the movie "Limelight" and Smile for "Modern Times". A true genius.
Daphne,
Hahaha But I agree with you. It was indeed a difficult act but Johnny Depp still did a pretty good job at it. At least he (Johnny Depp) possessed the dedication to his craft and the discipline to rehearse and perfect the act. To come close to what the great Chaplin did is already a testament to Johnny Depp's great talent as an actor.
Chaplin is an original and I don't think anyone can ever duplicate was he did, though many have tried.
His performances were always funny and touching at the same time, no matter how many times I see them.
funny! chaplin's better and hmm.. mas cute sya kesa kay johnny depp. paumanhin sa mga fans ni jd. hahaha. katuwa yung mustache nya.
If i were to choose between a sentimental movie and a comic one, I sure would go for a comical one.Sa dami ba naman ng problema sa mundo, syempre kelangan natin ng mas entertaining.hehe!
Charlie Chaplin has made a history!;)
Mon,
Well said, Pards. :)
Lei,
LOL Oo nga. Talagang pang-comedy iyong bigote at outfit niya. It was a good combination of outfits he came up with to support the Tramp character.
Nyl,
Amen to that! I love comedy movies for the exact same reason you mentioned. I want to be entertained and I want an escape from the day-to-day issues and news I hear everyday.
Charlie Chaplin did make history. For his efforts, his mother country, Great Britain, awarded him with a knighthood in his last years.
couldn't view the videos here. bummer. anyway, i always find silent movies fascinating. i think the actors put more effort in their acting because the entire movie/show/program heavily depends on their movements.
now, i am reminded of mr bean.
Mari,
Mr. Bean may have very well been influenced by Charlie Chaplin. I enjoy watching his tv series. :)
i remember watching the movie "Chaplin" many, many years ago, with Robert Downey Jr. as Chaplin. i thought it was comedy...i ended up shedding tears. Behind his hilarious characters, Chaplin was a haunted man.
Luna Miranda,
Away from the screen, he had some problems too. One of the biggest heartbreaks for him was his failure to marry a big love of his life, Edna Purviance. He got set up in a shotgun marriage to a young starlet and that led to the breakup of his relationship with Ms. Purviance.
I don't think she (Edna) ever married and from a Chaplin biography I read years ago, he supported her financially until her death in 1961.
In addition, he also had run-ins with the US government because of his support for liberal causes. He was suspected at the time of harboring Communist sympathies which was very far from the truth.
Chaplin is awesome - he started it all and he's an original with his craft. It is hard to make people laugh without talking for one :)
BW,
It is indeed very difficult to elicit laughs from an audience through non-verbal cues and/or movements. In Chaplin's case, such effort was made all the more difficult because he had to do it through full-length feature films. Truly a genius.
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