Comedian, Silent Film and Charlie Chaplin (1889.04.16)

The British comedian, writer, and director who was unforgettable for his clever portrayal of man’s tragic-comic struggles with fate, Charlie Chaplin was born on this date in 1889.  The birthday of Charlie Chaplin is a chance to celebrate his work’s joyful inspiration on Crosscurrents, 4/16 at 8 am.  http://www.krnn.org

THE KID 1921

The Tramp cares for an abandoned child, but events put that relationship in jeopardy.

     Chaplin’s first full-length feature is a silent masterpiece about a little tramp who discovers a little orphan and brings him up but is left desolate when the orphanage reclaims him. Chaplin directed, produced and starred in the film, as well as composed the score.

MODERN TIMES 1936

The Tramp struggles to live in modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman.

     This comedic masterpiece finds the iconic Little Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) employed at a state-of-the-art factory where the inescapable machinery completely overwhelms him, and where various mishaps keep getting him sent to prison. In between his various jail stints, he meets and befriends an orphan girl (Paulette Goddard). Both together and apart, they try to contend with the difficulties of modern life, with the Tramp working as a waiter and eventually a performer.

CITY LIGHTS 1931

With the aid of a wealthy erratic tippler, a dewy-eyed tramp who has fallen in love with a sightless flower girl accumulates money to be able to help her medically.

     A hapless but resilient tramp (Charlie Chaplin) falls in love with a blind flower girl (Virginia Cherrill) on the tough city streets. Upon learning that she and her grandmother are to be evicted from their home, the tramp undertakes a series of attempts to provide them with the money they need, all of which end in humiliating failure. But after a drunken millionaire (Harry Myers) lavishly rewards him for saving his life, the tramp can change the flower girl’s life forever.

THE GOLD RUSH 1925

A prospector goes to the Klondike in search of gold and finds it and more.

     In this classic silent comedy, the Little Tramp (Charles Chaplin) heads north to join in the Klondike gold rush. Trapped in a small cabin by a blizzard, the Tramp is forced to share close quarters with a successful prospector (Mack Swain) and a fugitive (Tom Murray). Eventually able to leave the cabin, he falls for a lovely barmaid (Georgia Hale), trying valiantly to win her affections. When the prospector needs help locating his claim, it appears the Tramp’s fortunes may change.

THE IMMIGRANT 1917

Charlie is an immigrant who endures a challenging voyage and gets into trouble as soon as he arrives in America.

     The Immigrant was selected for preservation by the Library of Congressas being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”.[1]

A DOGS LIFE 1917

The Little Tramp and his dog companion struggle to survive in the inner city.

     Charlie rescues a stray from other dogs, and together they meet Edna after finding a wallet full of cash.

THE CIRCUS 1928

The Tramp finds work and the girl of his dreams at a circus.

     Wrongfully accused of criminal acts, a tramp (Charlie Chaplin) unwittingly ducks into a big top, where his bumbling attempts to avoid pursuing police officers earn the laughter and applause of the circus-goers. Impressed, the ringmaster (Allan Garcia) decides to employ the tramp as an entertainer. In between getting trapped in a lion’s cage and partaking in clumsy high wire escapades, he falls for a beautiful show rider (Merna Kennedy), who unfortunately has eyes for a daring tightrope acrobat.