Limelight (1952)

A fading comedian and a suicidally despondent ballet dancer must look to each other to find meaning and hope in their lives.

Director:

Charles Chaplin

Writers:

Charles Chaplin (original story by), Charles Chaplin (screenplay by)

Stars:

Charles Chaplin, Claire Bloom, Nigel Bruce

Won 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Chaplin	...	Calvero
Claire Bloom	...	Thereza
Nigel Bruce	...	Postant
Buster Keaton	...	Calvero's Partner
Sydney Chaplin	...	Neville
Norman Lloyd	...	Bodalink
Andre Eglevsky	...	Dancer
Melissa Hayden	...	Dancer: Columbine
Marjorie Bennett	...	Mrs. Alsop
Wheeler Dryden	...	Thereza's Doctor
Barry Bernard	...	John Redfern
Stapleton Kent	...	Claudius
Molly Glessing	...	Maid (as Mollie Glessing)
Leonard Mudie	...	Calvero's Doctor (as Leonard Mudi)
Loyal Underwood	...	Street Musician

Storyline

Chaplin's final American film tells the story of a fading music hall comedian's effort to help a despondent ballet dancer learn both to walk and feel confident about life again. The highlight of the film is the classic duet with Chaplin's only real artistic film comedy rival, Buster Keaton.

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Plot Keywords:

music hall | clown | vaudeville | older man younger woman relationship | recovering alcoholic | 

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Taglines:

The masterpiece of laughter and tears from the master of comedy!

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 1952 (France)

Also Known As:

Candilejas

Filming Locations:

RKO-Pathé Studios - 9336 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$1,000,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Charles Chaplin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

137 min 141 min (initial release) 147 min (London premiere)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In once scene, Calvero (Charles Chaplin) quips, "It's the tramp in me", which is a nod to his Little Tramp character, which propelled him to fame and fortune in a series of silent films.

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Goofs

The film begins in the summer of 1914, as the First World War began, but less than a year passes before a newsboy shows a headline "United States Enters War", which didn't happen until April, 1917, and Neville is drafted, though the draft did not begin until 1916. Curiously, only one person appears in uniform, despite England being on a war footing.

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Quotes

Calvero: What can the stars do?
Calvero: Nothing.
Calvero: Just sit on their axis.

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Crazy Credits

"The glamour of limelight, from which age must pass as youth enters."

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Alternate Versions

The version of the film that premiered in London in 1952 ran 141 minutes. It had been in distribution for several months, when Chaplin recalled film prints and deleted a scene in which Calvero leaves the sleeping Thereza, and goes to a bar, where he meets his old friend, Claudius, the armless violin player, who gives Calvero money. The film ran 137 minutes after this scene was edited out for worldwide distribution. In the ending credits, there is still a billing for Stapleton Kent as Claudius, even though he is no longer seen in the film. The DVD includes the deleted scene as an extra feature.

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Connections

Referenced in Chaplin (1992)

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Soundtracks

Eternally (Terry's Theme)
(1952) (uncredited)
Music by Charles Chaplin

User Reviews

A story of a ballerina and a clown

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.