Travis Simpkins: Charlie Chaplin

The Great Dictator (1940): Charlie Chaplin

Written, produced, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, The Great Dictator (1941) was Chaplin's first full-on talkie film and courageously poked fun at Adolf Hitler during the height of his rise to power. The story concerns a Jewish barber who looks remarkably similar to the outrageous anti-semitic dictator of the land. Comedy and high-drama balance nicely, with Chaplin delivering a now famous speech at the climax. The film is a true Classic. Paulette Goddard and Jack Oakie co-star.

The Great Dictator. 1940: Charlie Chaplin

The Great Dictator. 1940: Paulette Goddard

The Great Dictator. 1940: Charlie Chaplin

Chaplin's Speech in "The Great Dictator"

Sunnyside (1919): Charlie Chaplin

Written, produced, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, Sunnyside (1919) was the third picture he made for First National Films. Upon it's release, the film was met with criticism for lack of creativity (perhaps due to struggles in Chaplin's private life), but it has since grown to become a beloved classic like most of Chaplin's work. The story has Chaplin as a hotel clerk who must vie for the love of Edna Purviance's character with charming results. The fantasy sequence scenes involving Chaplin dancing with lovely young Nymphs are particularly enchanting.

Sunnyside. 1919: Charlie Chaplin

Sunnyside. 1919: Charlie Chaplin and Edna Purviance

Sunnyside. 1919: Charlie Chaplin

City Lights (1931): Charlie Chaplin

Written, produced, scored, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, City Lights (1931) proclaimed his devotion to Silent Film despite the emergence of talkies four years earlier. It was an immediate success upon it's release and is not only considered to be one of Chaplin's best works, it is often cited amongst the greatest films ever made. The story centers around Chaplin's trademark Tramp, an eccentric suicidal millionaire and a poor blind flower girl. The film is a smooth sequence of one classic scene after another. Full of comedy and drama, it is an undeniable masterpiece. The cast is wonderful, including Charlie Chaplin, Virginia Cherrill, Florence Lee and Harry Myers.

City Lights. 1931: Charlie Chaplin

"City Lights"- movie trailer

Monsieur Verdoux (1947): Charlie Chaplin

Produced, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, based on a story idea by Orson Welles, Monsieur Verdoux (1947) ventured far from the familiar and lovable "Little Tramp" character for which Chaplin had become so beloved. The plot concerns a laid-off bank worker, who resorts to seducing and murdering rich women for their money, in order to support his son and invalid wife. Deep themes and metaphors couple with black comedy in this underrated Chaplin Classic. The supporting cast is great, including the beautiful Marilyn Nash, and the sharp-tongued Martha Raye.

Monsieur Verdoux. 1947: Charlie Chaplin

Monsieur Verdoux. 1947: Charlie Chaplin and Marilyn Nash

Monsieur Verdoux. 1947: Marilyn Nash

Monsieur Verdoux. 1947: Charlie Chaplin

Limelight (1952): Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Claire Bloom

Written, produced, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin, Limelight (1951) was released in strict limit, amid controversy, and it took two decades for it to gain it's due praise. At the time of it's production, in 1952, Chaplin was denied re-entry into the United States for alleged Communist sympathies. In 1972, the film was re-released and honored at the Academy Awards. The story concerns an aging comedian who rescues a suicidal ballerina, and their subsequent artistic life journey. Highly dramatic, the film is both heart-wrenching and uplifting. Charlie Chaplin and Claire Bloom are excellent in the lead roles. The supporting cast is top-notch as well, including Nigel Bruce and Buster Keaton.