Modern Times (1936)

Director:

Charles Chaplin

Writer:

Charles Chaplin (writer)

Release Date:

5 February 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

He stands alone as the greatest entertainer of modern times! No one on earth can make you laugh as heartily or touch your heart as deeply...the whole world laughs, cries and thrills to his priceless genius!

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Assembly Line | Gibberish | Shot By Police | Beautiful Woman | Shoplifting

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Charles Chaplin	...	A factory worker (as Charlie Chaplin)
Paulette Goddard	...	A gamin
Henry Bergman	...	Cafe proprietor
Tiny Sandford	...	Big Bill (as Stanley Sandford)
Chester Conklin	...	Mechanic
Hank Mann	...	Burglar
Stanley Blystone	...	Gamin's father
Al Ernest Garcia	...	President of the Electro Steel Corp. (as Allan Garcia)
Richard Alexander	...	Cellmate (as Dick Alexander)
Cecil Reynolds	...	Minister
Mira McKinney	...	Minister's wife (as Myra McKinney)
Murdock MacQuarrie	...	J. Widdecombe Billows (as Murdoch McQuarrie)
Wilfred Lucas	...	Juvenile officer
Edward LeSaint	...	Sheriff Couler (as Ed Le Sainte)
Fred Malatesta	...	Head waiter

Also Known As:

The Masses (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Portugal:M/6 | Spain:T | Singapore:PG | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Denmark:A (2003) | Norway:7 | South Korea:All | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | USA:Unrated | Australia:G | West Germany:6 (bw)

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Boulevard & Vine Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Charles Chaplin Productions

Trivia:

According to a fall 1935 issue of Variety, Charles Chaplin was expected to run behind schedule on the release of the movie as he tweaked the soundtrack. He also wanted to chop over 1,000 feet of film from his then existing cut.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: During the scene with the press at the factory machine shop, Chaplin leaves his boss's coat under the press, flattening his pocket watch. A trap door under the press is clearly visible as a stagehand accidentally leaves a corner of the coat caught in it, and Chaplin must yank on the coat twice to free it.

Quotes:

President of the Electro Steel Corp.: [from the Telescreen in the restroom to the factory worker] Hey you! Get back to work!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Art Garfunkel/Stephen Bishop (#3.13)" (1978)

Soundtrack:

In the Evening by the Moonlight

Chaplin's masterpiece

This is absolutely the finest film Charlie Chaplin ever made-which, considering the overall quality of his work, says a great deal for the quality of the film. Genius is a much over-used word, but in Chaplin's case, it's use is apt. This is one of the classics of cinema and one of the greatest films ever made! The scenes in the factory are hilarious. You have got to see this film! Most joyously, totally and highly RECOMMENDED!!!!!