English 299B: Film as Narrative Art Mr. Kelley

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English 299BFilm as Narrative ArtMr. Kelley
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Modern Times (Charlie Chaplin, 1936)
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Modern Times

• So far from lacking unity, Modern Times on the
  contrary is the film in which the level of acting
  style is best maintained, controlling thus the
  style of the gags and even of the script. The
  ideological significance never impinges from
  without on the comic flow of the gags. It is the
  imperturbable logic of the latter that utterly
  exposed the absurdities of our society.
• Andre' Bazin, 1948

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Point to Consider

• What are the major tensions or values in the
  film?
• What is the position of the "working man" in this
  film? How is he portrayed? Can you note any
  comparisons with His Girl Friday?
• What is the role of "the machine," literally and
  symbolically? How does it relate to the working
  man? How does it relate to Chaplin's vision of
  modern society?

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• What are the varying positions of the wealthy,
  the bosses, the cops, and the inventors? How do
  they relate or fail to relate to the working man?
  
• What is the role of love in the film? How do
  these lovers contrast with those of His Girl
  Friday?
• How are "lawbreakers" portrayed? How do they
  relate to Chaplin's vision of modern society?

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• What role does Communist agitation play in the
  film? Are there comparisons with His Girl Friday?
• What is the visual style of the film? Why is it
  appropriate for the themes of the film?
• How does the social satire function in the film?
  Can you point to some of Chaplin's targets? Can
  you describe his satirical methods

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Selected Chaplin Filmography

• The Kid (1921)
• The Circus (1928)
• City Lights (1931)
• The Great Dictator (1940)
• Monsieur Verdoux (1947)
• Limelight (1952)
• A King in New York (1957)

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