Favorite Films: Modern Times

In 1936 something special happened. Charlie Chaplin brought sound to his film Modern Times. Never before had we really heard the Tramp utter a word and then we got this wonderful scene:

That's one of those classic moments you don't forget. Modern Times is one of the quirkier Chaplin flicks. There are sequences where the Tramp feels just like a cartoon character.

But despite all the craziness, this film still has so much heart. I don't normally watch old silent flicks and think about the girls I'm watching on screen, but DAMN Paulette Goddard steals my heart away every time I see this.

Between Charlie's amazing comic timing and Paulette's heartbreaking abilities to match his level this movie grasps at that unreasonable target of Perfect Film. If you've never seen Modern Times, I suggest you go down to your library or check your Netflix or whatever it is you do to catch oldies... they screen it frequently at the silent theatre and I can tell you without hesitation, there's nothing quite like the experience of seeing a great silent film with a live band accompaniment on the big screen. But don't take my word for it...

No do. Do take my word for it. This flick is great!

The List So Far:

1927 - Metropolis - Fritz Lang

1928 - Steamboat Willie - Ub Iwerks

1931 - M - Fritz Lang

1932 - Tarzan, The Ape Man - W. S. Van Dyke

1933 - King Kong - Merian C. Cooper +

1934 - It Happened One Night - Frank Capra

1936 - Modern Times - Charles Chaplin

1957 - Funny Face - Stanley Donen

1966 - Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? - Mike Nichols

1984 - Brazil - Terry Gilliam

1986 - Labyrinth - Jim Henson