"Modern Times" is a 1936 American part-talkie social comedy film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin, featuring his iconic Little Tramp character. The film is set in the modern, industrialized world and follows the story of the Little Tramp, played by Chaplin, as he struggles to survive. The movie stars Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman, Tiny Sandford, and Chester Conklin. It has been praised for its unforgettable gags and sly commentary on class struggle during the Great Depression.
Despite being made almost a decade into the talkie era, "Modern Times" contains moments of sound, including a song sung by Chaplin in gibberish Italian. The film has won many awards and honors, and it was one of the first 25 films to be included in the Criterion Collection.
The Criterion Collection edition of the film includes various special features, such as a restored 2K-resolution digital transfer, a new audio commentary by Charlie Chaplin biographer David Robinson, and two new visual essays. One of the memorable scenes from the film features the Little Tramp working as a giddily inept factory employee.
"Modern Times" is considered a timeless showcase of Chaplin's genius as a director of silent film and has been influential in highlighting the importance of never giving up
Plot
The movie follows the story of the Little Tramp, played by Chaplin, as he struggles to survive in the modern, industrialized world. The plot revolves around the Little Tramp working as a factory worker, getting into various misadventures, and eventually finding companionship with a young woman. The film encompasses themes of the tyranny of machines over humans, capitalism, industrialization, and human exploitation. It is a silent movie, with the only dialogue being a song sung by Chaplin in gibberish Italian. The movie is known for its hilarious moments and its sly commentary on the challenges of the modern era, making it a thought-provoking and relevant work of its time.
Trailer
Cast
- Charlie Chaplin as The Tramp (A Factory Worker)
- Paulette Goddard as The Young Homeless Woman
- Henry Bergman as Big Bill (Stanley Sandford)
- Tiny Sandford as The President of the Electro Steel Corp. (Allan Garcia)
- Richard Alexander as Prison Cellmate (Dick Alexander)
- Mira McKinney as Minister's Wife (Myra McKinney)
- Murdock MacQuarrie as J. Widdecombe Billows (Murdoch McQuarrie)
- Edward LeSaint as Sheriff Couler (Ed Le Sainte)
- Gloria de Haven as one of Paulette Goddard's Sisters
Director: Charlie Chaplin
Writer: Charlie Chaplin
Box Office Gross: $463,618
Distributor: United Artists
Genre: Comedy
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 5, 1936
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Theme
"Modern Times" is a reflection on the challenges of the modern era, including the tyranny of machines over humans, the capitalist system, industrialization, and human exploitation.
Reception
The film has been praised for its unforgettable gags and sly commentary on class struggle during the Great Depression.
Production Challenges
Chaplin began pre-production on Modern Times in March 1933, and filming began in October 1934 at his Hollywood studio and nearby locations.
Settings
The film is set in the modern, industrialized world, with the factory scenes being inspired by Fritz Lang's "Metropolis" and René Clair's "A Nous la Liberté"
Visual Styles
The film features impressive factory interiors designed by art directors Charles D. Hall and Russell Spencer, clearly inspired by Fritz Lang's "Metropolis"
Techniques
The movie is technically a sound film, but very little of the soundtrack contains dialogue. The soundtrack primarily consists of Chaplin's musical score, sound effects, and a performance of a song by the Tramp in gibberish.
Trivia
- The film marks the only time the Tramp ever spoke, with a song in gibberish.
- The movie was one of the first 25 films to be included in the Criterion Collection.
Fun Facts
- The opening title of the film reads, "Modern Times: a story of industry, of individual Enterprise, humanity crusading in the pursuit of happiness".
- The film has been influential in highlighting the importance of never giving up.