IMDb > Limelight (1952)
Limelight
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Limelight (1952) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
7.9/10   5,069 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Charles Chaplin
Writers:
Charles Chaplin (story)
Charles Chaplin (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Limelight on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
29 October 1952 (Argentina) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance more
Plot:
A fading comedian and a suicidally despondent ballet dancer must look to each other to find meaning and hope in their lives. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Actor Sydney Chaplin, Son Of Charles Chaplin, Dead At Age 82
 (From CinemaRetro. 9 March 2009, 3:39 PM, PDT)

Chaplin's Son Dead
 (From WENN. 5 March 2009, 5:35 PM, PST)

User Comments:
A story of a ballerina and a clown more (64 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Charles Chaplin ... Calvero
Claire Bloom ... Terry, a Dancer
Nigel Bruce ... Postant, an Impresario

Buster Keaton ... Calvero's Partner
Sydney Chaplin ... Neville
Norman Lloyd ... Bodalink
Andre Eglevsky ... Dancer
Melissa Hayden ... Dancer
Marjorie Bennett ... Mrs. Alsop
Wheeler Dryden ... Thereza's Doctor
Barry Bernard ... John Redfern
Stapleton Kent ... Claudius
Mollie Glessing ... Maid
Leonard Mudie ... Dr. Blake (as Leonard Mudi)
Loyal Underwood ... Street Musician
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Additional Details

Runtime:
137 min | USA:141 min (initial release) | UK:147 min (London premiere)
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (RCA Sound System)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The final film that Charles Chaplin produced in America. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: After Terry achieves success, she is shown to tour "the continent", with stops in Paris, Rome, and Russia. The war would have made travel to Russia difficult, if not impossible, and Russia would have been in the midst of the Bolshevik revolution at the time. more
Quotes:
Calvero: There's something about working the streets I like. It's the tramp in me I suppose. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Chaplin Today: A King in New York (2003) (TV) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
7 out of 7 people found the following comment useful.
A story of a ballerina and a clown, 11 September 2001

Charles Chaplin plays Calvero, an aging clown who rescues a ballet dancer called Terry (Claire Bloom) from committing suicide.These two become friends and Calvero gets more meaning to his life.He desperately tries to make a come back to become the greatest clown again but it's hard to make people laugh anymore.Limelight from 1952 was Charles Chaplin's last American film.It was a flop but the film won an Academy Award for best score in 1972.That year the king of comedy got also a special Oscar for career achievement.This was Chaplin's most sentimental movie and it also was very touching.Chaplin is amazing as the aging clown.The man wasn't only a great comedian.He was also a terrific actor.It's hard to top his performance in this movie.Claire Bloom's performance as the ballet dancer is also brilliant.Chaplin's son Sydney plays Neville in the movie.There are also Chaplin's children Victoria, Michael, Josephine, Geraldine and Charles Chaplin Jr. in this film.This is truly a masterpiece.This proves that Chaplin didn't shine only in silent movies.He did that also in talkies.And this is one of his best talkies. The dialogue is just delicious in this comedic drama.In the end you can see another great comedian from the silent era;Buster Keaton.You can see Chaplin and Keaton clowning together in the end.And that is one great scene.A scene to remember.The message of Limelight is how wonderful life is.Enjoy it while you still can.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Limelight (1952)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
What nationality is Calvero? giona
more than a perfect ten bwpbleak
Favorite Move of All Time timandkeely
I am looking for a song til-angie
A non-spoiler tip for fellow Keaton fans: prognathous
Looking for a recording of the original score.... bwpbleak
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