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Modern Times (1936)

G  |   |  Comedy, Drama  |  25 February 1936 (USA)
8.6
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Ratings: 8.6/10 from 125,681 users   Metascore: 96/100
Reviews: 201 user | 115 critic | 4 from Metacritic.com

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

Director:

(as Charlie Chaplin)

Writer:

(as Charlie Chaplin)
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Edit

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
A Factory Worker (as Charlie Chaplin)
...
Henry Bergman ...
Tiny Sandford ...
Big Bill (as Stanley Sandford)
...
Hank Mann ...
Stanley Blystone ...
Al Ernest Garcia ...
Richard Alexander ...
Prison Cellmate (as Dick Alexander)
Cecil Reynolds ...
Mira McKinney ...
Minister's Wife (as Myra McKinney)
Murdock MacQuarrie ...
J. Widdecombe Billows (as Murdoch McQuarrie)
Wilfred Lucas ...
Edward LeSaint ...
Sheriff Couler (as Ed Le Sainte)
Fred Malatesta ...
Edit

Storyline

Chaplins last 'silent' film, filled with sound effects, was made when everyone else was making talkies. Charlie turns against modern society, the machine age, (The use of sound in films ?) and progress. Firstly we see him frantically trying to keep up with a production line, tightening bolts. He is selected for an experiment with an automatic feeding machine, but various mishaps leads his boss to believe he has gone mad, and Charlie is sent to a mental hospital... When he gets out, he is mistaken for a communist while waving a red flag, sent to jail, foils a jailbreak, and is let out again. We follow Charlie through many more escapades before the film is out. Written by Colin Tinto <cst@imdb.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

You'll never laugh as long and as loud again as long as you live! The laughs come so fast and so furious you'll wish it would end before you collapse! See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Certificate:

G | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
Edit

Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

25 February 1936 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Masses  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$11,507 (USA) (9 January 2004)

Gross:

$163,245 (USA) (22 October 2004)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Noiseless Recording Sound System)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was always intended to be Charles Chaplin's first talkie. He even went as far as writing a dialogue script and experimenting with sound. However, because Chaplin intended the film to feature his Little Tramp character, sound seemed inappropriate. Consequently the film was made using silent techniques, shot at 18 frames per second and then projected at 24 frames per second, which gave the slapstick sequences a more frenetic feel. See more »

Goofs

When Charlie tries to get the roasted duck dinner to the table, the items on his tray are fixed in place. The wine cradle barely moves when he swings the tray overhead, yet when the tray is on the table seconds later, it does. See more »

Quotes

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

Connections

Referenced in Aspects of Love (1993) See more »

Soundtracks

Theme from Modern Times
(1935) (uncredited)
(Later known as "Smile")
Music by Charles Chaplin
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
The Inspiration of continuing greatness...
24 March 1999 | by (Port Orchard, WA, USA) – See all my reviews

Chaplin's "Modern Times" has influenced the 20th century as much as any other film could have. His portrayal of man vs. machine, individual vs. group, love vs. industry...is the framework of classic modern American "anti-progressive" thinking. Gilliam's "Brazil" is the late century equivalent. But Chaplin hit it right first, insuring generations would have the chance to relate to the challenges of their own modern times.


31 of 60 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you?

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