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Modern Times (1936)
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Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Charles Chaplin (written by)
Release Date:
25 February 1936 (USA)
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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! See more »
Plot:
The Tramp struggles to live in modern industrial society with the help of a young homeless woman. Full summary » | Add synopsis »
Awards:
2 wins
&
1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
(37 articles)
All Tomorrow’s Parties Criterion Collection Poster Art Revealed
(From CriterionCast. 7 September 2010, 4:51 PM, PDT)
DVD Round-up: Four Lions, Largo Winch – Dead Revenge, Modern Times, The Gold Rush
(From FilmShaft.com. 31 August 2010, 1:16 PM, PDT)
Disc News: August 29th 2010
(From Dark Horizons. 29 August 2010, 9:33 AM, PDT)
(From CriterionCast. 7 September 2010, 4:51 PM, PDT)
DVD Round-up: Four Lions, Largo Winch – Dead Revenge, Modern Times, The Gold Rush
(From FilmShaft.com. 31 August 2010, 1:16 PM, PDT)
Disc News: August 29th 2010
(From Dark Horizons. 29 August 2010, 9:33 AM, PDT)
User Reviews:
Hilarious comedy with a serious message
See more (133 total) »
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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 | ... | Prison 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 | ... | Cafe Head Waiter |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
87 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Noiseless Recording Sound System)
Certification:
Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Portugal:M/6 | USA:Approved (PCA #1596) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Netherlands:AL | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | Denmark:A (2003) | Norway:7 | South Korea:All | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | Australia:G | West Germany:6 (bw)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
This was one of the films which, because of its political sentiments, convinced the House Un-American Activities Committee that Charles Chaplin was a Communist, a charge he adamantly denied.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: When Chaplin grabs the passing chain to flee from his workmates, the next shot shows him actually sitting in the chain with the straps of his overalls undone and hanging free. Prior to this and when he is back on the ground the straps of his overalls are done up.See more »
Quotes:
[Listening to a phonograph record]
The Mechanical Salesman:Good morning, my friends. This record comes to you through the Sales Talk Transcription Company, Incorporated: your speaker, the Mechanical Salesman. May I take the pleasure of introducing Mr. J. Widdecombe Billows, the inventor of the Billows Feeding Machine...
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The Mechanical Salesman:Good morning, my friends. This record comes to you through the Sales Talk Transcription Company, Incorporated: your speaker, the Mechanical Salesman. May I take the pleasure of introducing Mr. J. Widdecombe Billows, the inventor of the Billows Feeding Machine...
See more »
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Untouchables (1991) (VG)See more »
Soundtrack:
The Prisoner's SongSee more »
FAQ
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?What is a gamin?
See more »
See more (133 total) »
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"Modern Times" is in my top 5 films, and #2 in my list of favorite comedies. Charles Chaplin is arguably the most talented human being, nevermind film maker, that ever lived. I first saw this treasure about 8 years ago, and I watched it again recently to make sure that it really WAS funny, and that I had not given it too much praise because it was simply a Chaplin film. "Modern Times" passed my test with flying colors. I laughed hysterically from start to finish. Each and every scene is innovative, well thought out, and executed with the genius that only Chaplin possessed. Among my favorite scenes are the "automatic worker-feeding machine"; the jail scene in the cafeteria when The Tramp accidentally sprinkles cocaine on his food, thinking it is salt; and the roller skating scene in the department store. No special effects or computer animation, just pure, simple, genius.
The storyline in "Modern Times" is purposefully naive, a trick Chaplin used time and again to bring a profound humanitarian quality to his films. Watching this film is comparable to watching a Warner Bros. cartoon, which coming from me is a sincere compliment. The level of physical comedy in "Modern Times" is on par with the masterful short films of Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, and others.
Finally, as was the case with most of his later films, "Modern Times" is a serious social commentary. Its message is as relevant today as it was more than sixty years ago when it was released. In fact, it is arguably even more relevant today, and unless the world changes drastically in the future it will continue to be. "Modern Times" is essentially the story of a simple but extremely kind man caught in the traps of industrialized society. The opening scene, which compares a crowd of workers boarding the subway to a flock of sheep, is Chaplin's warning against standardization, mechanization, and other facets of life which rob men and women of their individuality. Chaplin always tried to speak for the downtrodden, because despite his enormous success and wealth, he never forgot where he came from. In the end, "Modern Times" is a reminder that no matter how bad things are, you can still smile. Charles Chaplin has made more people smile than almost any other, and his legacy of love and laughter lives on in his films. Its up to us to keep his legacy alive.