FILM: Modern Times (1931)

Country:           USA

Director:           Charles Chaplin

I decided to start my Chaplin series by watching Modern Times – one of Charlie Chaplin’s most memorable films and the last to have his Tramp character.  The film was also a commentary on how the Industrial Age has affected human society – dehumanized workers as they became mere appendages of machines, severe unemployment as much of the work is mechanized, and loss of human dignity as many are forced to live in horrible conditions.  Sounds Marxist, and this was probably one of the things that led those unscrupulous FBI agents to label Charlie as a communist.

It’s hard to imagine how it must have been to create a silent film during an era that was already crazy over talkies.  From my research, Chaplin was supposed to make Modern Times a talking film and even got to the point of having a script written.  Fortunately, he decided to keep it as a silent film believing that the Tramp would have lost his charm if he were to talk. 

Still, Chaplin did not disappoint moviegoers who longed to hear the Tramp’s voice.  Near the end of the film, the Tramp was required to sing in front of an audience. Now, how can that possibly happen in a silent film?  I remember thinking. But the character did sing.  The catch was, the words were nonsensical and audiences still had to infer what he was saying through his gestures and his facial expressions.  Now that’s pantomime!

In the film, I especially liked the scenes shot inside (and some just outside) the factory.  The first part of the film with the feeding machine and the crazed Tramp running amok were exceptionally funny.  The other factory scene somewhere in the middle of the movie where the Tramp managed to trap the mechanic in the machine was also hilarious.

One of my most favorite songs was written by Chaplin for this film – Smile.  Too many artists have covered this song but I suppose the first version that was recorded by Nat King Cole was the one I liked the most.  (Celine Dion’s emotionally laden version during the 83^rd Oscars was also magnificent.)  The lyrics by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons were just perfect for the melody and would have been the appropriate theme song for the film.  I have always liked the lyrics but upon seeing the movie’s ending with the Tramp trying to cheer up the depressed Gamine character puts another meaning to the words.  The Tramp was shown walking towards the horizon as he did in many of his films, but this time, he was walking away with the woman he loves in what I consider as the best possible exit for such a lovable character.

I liked the soundtrack of the movie so much that I became curious if there were any recordings available.  I did find two nice compilation albums of music used in Chaplin’s films. 

(On a side note, Paulette Goddard who played the Gamine was married to Charlie Chaplin from 1936 to 1942.  I guess that explains the apparent chemistry between the two actors.)