Discovering early Hollywood through the films of Charlie Chaplin
Uncovering tidbits of the history of Los Angeles and the early film industry that are hidden within Charlie Chaplin’s timeless films, this stunning work of cinematic archeology combines Chaplin’s movie images with archival photographs, vintage maps, contemporary photographs, and scores of then-and-now comparison photographs to conjure up the silent-movie era from an entirely new perspective. Through his research of the locations used in such classic Chaplin films as “The Kid”:/en/articles/3 “City Lights”:/en/articles/4 and “Modern Times”:/en/articles/6 as well as Chaplin’s lesser known but equally brilliant short films and early work, the author illuminates both Chaplin’s genius and the evolving city that served as the backdrop of his art. Part time machine, part detective story, this title presents a truly unique look at Chaplin’s work, and a captivating glimpse into Hollywood’s most romantic era.
{{Publisher: Santa Monica Press (August 1, 2006)}}
The annual Festival Ritrovato in Bologna, Italy will take place from July 1st through 8th 2006.
On Thursday 6th and Friday 7th July
Screening of 9 brand new Keystone restorations carried out by Cineteca di Bologna and the BFI/NFTVA:
CAUGHT IN A CABARET , THE FACE ON THE BAR ROOM FLOOR , BUSY DAY , THE FATAL MALLET , THE STAR BOARDER, BEWTEEN SHOWERS, HIS PREHISTORIC PAST, THE KNOCK OUT and DOUGH AND DYNAMITE restored with the Library of Congress.
On the closing day, Saturday 8th in the afternoon, Lisa Stein will present her book on “A Comedian Sees the World” (which The Cineteca of Bologna is very proud to publish) widely researched on the archive and beautifully illustrated with photos, postcards and magazines from the author’s own collection and Association Chaplin’s materials)
On that same afternoon the “Dossier Chaplin” will be focused on “A King in New York”:/en/articles/9 The film, newly restored, will be shown in {Piazza Maggiore} that same night at 22.00 (and according to the Most Prestigious Old Farmer’s
Almanac: full moon that night!)
The complete program of the festival will be available soon on our website:
“Cineteca di Bologna”:http://www.cinetecadibologna.it/en/ritrovato.htm
For all information about registration/accomodation please contact:
Cinetecaanifestazioni1
Paul Merton shares his passion for silent film in this four-part series on the work of the great comic performers of the era: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel & Hardy, Harrold Lloyd.
A documentary from silent film historians Kevin Brownlow and David Gill. Featuring never before seen out-takes from Chaplin’s films, and other rare footage, Unknown Chaplin gives a valuable insight into the creation of Chaplin’s films. Also included are interviews with people who knew and worked with Chaplin. The documentary is in three parts: My Happiest Years; Hidden Treasures; and The Great Director. Accompanied by excellent music by Carl Davis, some adapted from Chaplin’s own music.
Distributed by Network in UK and it has also been released in the US
To celebrate the contribution of Charlie Chaplin to cinema and filmmaking, some of his best-known feature length films, plus selected shorts, will be screened in Leicester Square on St George’s Day, Sunday 23 April. This
fitting location, the home of British cinema, also has a statue of Chaplin created by sculptor John Doubleday.
Organised by the Mayor of London with assistance from Association Chaplin, MK2 and the British Film Institute, this free event also includes children’s activities and workshops, plus street entertainment, Chaplin style.
Everyone is welcome to this unique, free film event.
Born in 1889 in Walworth, South London, Charlie Chaplin left England to tour the US as a clown with Fred Karno’s slapstick company in 1912.
He made his first films in 1914 and in the years that followed went on to achieve enormous acclaim and popularity as an actor, director, composer, writer and
producer, but most notably with his portrayal of ‘the Tramp’ in films that continue to have universal appeal to this day.
Programme (times are subject to confirmation):
12pm : A Dog’s Life (1918)
12.40pm : “The Kid”:/en/articles/3 (1921)
Charlie Chaplin’s first full-length film. Co-starring five-year-old Jackie Coogan, “The Kid”:/en/articles/3 is the story of a child abandoned in a limousine by his unwed mother. When the Little Tramp finds him, he tries unsuccessfully to
find a home for the boy. Obliged to keep him, the Little Tramp teaches the youngster about life on the streets.
2pm : (3 shorts) Kid Auto Races, A Film Johnnie and Mabel at the Wheel (1914)
BFI restored Keystone Film Company shorts with live piano accompaniment
2.50pm : “The Gold Rush”:/en/articles/5 (1925, 1942)
Chaplin’s irrepressible Little Tramp seeks riches in the Yukon in this all time classic. Leave it to the Tramp as he turns hard times into hilarity as he savours a Thanksgiving feast of boiled shoe, slips outside a house teetering on a cliff and faces all manner of perils with pluck and
fortitude. The 1942 re-release of the 1925 original with sound track and narration by Chaplin will be screened.
4.30pm “Modern Times”:/en/articles/6 (1936)
One of the happiest and most light hearted of the Chaplin pictures. Man v Machine! Chaplin’s Little Tramp plays an assembly line worker fighting back against the mind numbing monotony and time clock rigidity of industrialism.
(Film notes from “The Chaplin Collection”)
CHAPLIN AT LEICESTER SQUARE
Leicester Square, London WC2
Sunday 23 April 2006, 12pm - 6.00pm
St George’s day 2006