- Charlie Chaplin filmography
-
Charlie Chaplin in his "Tramp" persona
Charlie Chaplin was a British film actor, comedian, director, producer, writer, musician and music composer whose work in motion pictures spanned from 1914 until 1967. During his early years in film he became established as a worldwide cinematic idol renowned for his tramp persona. During the 1910s and 1920s he was considered the most famous person on the planet. [1]
Chaplin was born in London and began acting on stage at the age of nine.[2] In 1913, while on tour in the United States with Fred Karno's comedy group, he accepted a contract to work for Mack Sennett's Keystone film company. During his time at Keystone he began writing and directing some of the films in which he starred. Chaplin signed with the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company in 1915 and the year after with the Mutual Film Corporation. In 1918 Chaplin began producing his own films, initially releasing them through First National and then through United Artists, a corporation he co-founded with Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and D. W. Griffith.[3] In the late 1940s and early 1950s Chaplin was accused of being a Communist sympathizer, which he denied.[4] He remained a British subject and, while travelling to England in 1952 to attend the premiere of his film, Limelight, his American re-entry permit was rescinded.[5] Chaplin eventually settled in Switzerland, where he remained for the rest of his life. He made his last two films in England.
During his lifetime Chaplin received three awards from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. At the first Academy Awards ceremony, held on May 16, 1929, he won an honorary award for writing, directing, producing, and acting in The Circus (1928).[6][7] In 1972 he returned to the United States after nearly two decades to receive another honorary award, this time for his overall achievements in cinema. The following year Chaplin's score for Limelight received the Academy Award for Best Music. Although 20 years old by this time, Limelight had not been released in the Los Angeles area until 1972, and had not been eligible for Academy Award consideration before then.[7] Chaplin also received Academy Award nominations in 1940 for Best Actor and Best Original Screenplay for The Great Dictator and in 1947 for his screenplay of Monsieur Verdoux.[7]
As of 2010, five of the films Chaplin starred in have been added to the National Film Registry: The Immigrant (1917), The Gold Rush (1925), City Lights (1931), Modern Times (1936), and The Great Dictator (1940). Also selected was Show People (1928), which features Chaplin in an unbilled cameo appearance.[8] For his work in motion pictures, Chaplin has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[9]
Contents
Official films
In 1965 Chaplin established his official filmography with the publication of his book, My Autobiography. The filmography consisted of 80 motion pictures released since 1914. Further detail was added to it in David Robinson's 1985 biography, Chaplin: His Life and Art, which included Chaplin's last film, A Countess from Hong Kong (1967), as the 81st entry. In 2010, an 82nd film was added with the discovery of A Thief Catcher, an early Keystone film hitherto thought lost.[10]
All of Chaplin's films up to and including The Circus (1928) were silent, although many were re-issued with soundtracks. City Lights (1931) and Modern Times (1936) were essentially silent films, although they were made with soundtracks consisting of music and sound effects, with talking sequences in the latter film. Chaplin's last five films were all talking pictures. Aside from A Countess From Hong Kong, all of Chaplin's films were photographed in 35mm black and white.
Except where otherwise referenced, the release dates, character names, and annotations presented here are derived from Chaplin's autobiography, Robinson's book, and The Films of Charlie Chaplin (1965) by Gerald D. McDonald, Michael Conway, and Mark Ricci.
Keystone
Chaplin appeared in 36 films for Keystone Studios, all produced by Mack Sennett. Except where noted all films were one reel in length.
Release date Title Credited as Notes Composer Producer Writer Director Role February 2, 1914 Making a Living Slicker February 7, 1914 Kid Auto Races at Venice Tramp Released on a split-reel (i.e. two films on one reel) with an education film, Olives and Trees February 9, 1914 Mabel's Strange Predicament Tramp February 19, 1914 A Thief Catcher A Policeman Print discovered in 2010[10] February 28, 1914 Between Showers Masher March 2, 1914 A Film Johnnie The Film Johnnie March 9, 1914 Tango Tangles Tipsy Dancer March 16, 1914 His Favorite Pastime Drinker March 26, 1914 Cruel, Cruel Love Lord Helpus April 4, 1914 The Star Boarder The Star boarder April 18, 1914 Mabel at the Wheel Villain Two reels April 20, 1914 Twenty Minutes of Love Yes Yes Pickpocket April 27, 1914 Caught in a Cabaret Waiter Two reels
Co-writer: Mabel NormandMay 4, 1914 Caught in the Rain Yes Yes Tipsy Hotel Guest May 7, 1914 A Busy Day Yes Yes Wife Released on a split-reel with an educational short, The Morning Papers June 1, 1914 The Fatal Mallet Suitor June 4, 1914 Her Friend the Bandit Yes Bandit A lost film.[11] The only known Chaplin lost film.
Co-director: Mabel NormandJune 11, 1914 The Knockout Referee Two reels June 13, 1914 Mabel's Busy Day Tipsy Nuisance June 20, 1914 Mabel's Married Life Yes Yes Mabel's Husband Co-writer: Mabel Normand July 9, 1914 Laughing Gas Yes Yes Dentist's Assistant August 1, 1914 The Property Man Yes Yes The Property Man Two reels August 10, 1914 The Face on the Bar Room Floor Yes Yes Artist Based on the poem by Hugh Antoine d'Arcy August 13, 1914 Recreation Yes Yes Tramp Released as a split-reel with a travel short, The Yosemite August 27, 1914 The Masquerader Yes Yes Film Actor August 31, 1914 His New Profession Yes Yes Charlie September 7, 1914 The Rounders Yes Yes Reveller September 14, 1914 The New Janitor Yes Yes Janitor October 10, 1914 Those Love Pangs Yes Yes Masher October 26, 1914 Dough and Dynamite Yes Yes Waiter Two reels
Co-writer: Mack SennettOctober 29, 1914 Gentlemen of Nerve Yes Yes Impecunious Track Enthisiast November 7, 1914 His Musical Career Yes Yes Piano Mover November 9, 1914 His Trysting Place Yes Yes Husband Two reels November 14, 1914 Tillie's Punctured Romance Charlie, a City Slicker Six reels
From the play, Tille's Nightmare, by A. Baldwin Sloane and Edgar SmithDecember 5, 1914 Getting Acquainted Yes Yes Spouse December 7, 1914 His Prehistoric Past Yes Yes Weakchin Two reels Essanay
Chaplin wrote, directed, and starred in 15 films for the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company, all produced by Jesse T. Robbins. Except where noted all films are two-reelers.
Release date Title Credited as Notes Composer Producer Writer Director Role February 1, 1915 His New Job Yes Yes Film Extra February 15, 1915 A Night Out Yes Yes Reveller debut of Edna Purviance March 11, 1915 The Champion Yes Yes Aspiring Pugilist March 18, 1915 In the Park Yes Yes Charlie One reel April 1, 1915 A Jitney Elopement Yes Yes Suitor, the Fake Count April 11, 1915 The Tramp Yes Yes The Tramp April 29, 1915 By the Sea Yes Yes Stroller One reel June 21, 1915 Work Yes Yes Decorator's Apprentice July 12, 1915 A Woman Yes Yes Charlie / "The Woman" August 9, 1915 The Bank Yes Yes Janitor October 4, 1915 Shanghaied Yes Yes Charlie November 20, 1915 A Night in the Show Yes Yes Mr. Pest and Mr. Rowdy December 18, 1915 Burlesque on 'Carmen' Yes Yes Darn Hosiery Re-issued on April 22, 1916, as an unauthorized four-reeler with new footage shot and assembled by Leo White May 27, 1916 Police Yes Yes Ex-Convict August 11, 1918 Triple Trouble Yes Yes Janitor Compilation assembled by Leo White with scenes from Police and an unfinished short, Life, along with new material shot by White. Chaplin includes this production in the filmography of his autobiography. Mutual
Chaplin wrote, produced, directed, and starred in 12 films for the Mutual Film Corporation, which formed Lone Star Studios solely for Chaplin's films. All of the Mutual releases are two reels in length.
Release date Title Credited as Notes Composer Producer Writer Director Role May 15, 1916 The Floorwalker Yes Yes Yes Impecunious Customer Co-writer: Vincent Bryan June 12, 1916 The Fireman Yes Yes Yes Fireman Co-writer: Vincent Bryan July 10, 1916 The Vagabond Yes Yes Yes Street Musician Co-writer: Vincent Bryan August 7, 1916 One A.M. Yes Yes Yes Drunk September 4, 1916 The Count Yes Yes Yes Tailor's Apprentice October 2, 1916 The Pawnshop Yes Yes Yes Pawnbroker's Assistant November 13, 1916 Behind the Screen Yes Yes Yes Property Man's Assistant December 4, 1916 The Rink Yes Yes Yes Waiter and Skating Enthusiast January 22, 1917 Easy Street Yes Yes Yes Vagabond recruited to Police Force April 16, 1917 The Cure Yes Yes Yes Alcoholic Gentleman at Spa June 17, 1917 The Immigrant Yes Yes Yes Immigrant Added to the National Film Registry in 1998[12] October 22, 1917 The Adventurer Yes Yes Yes Escaped Convict First National
Chaplin wrote, produced, directed, and starred in nine films for his own production company between 1918 and 1923. These films were distributed by First National.
Release date Title Credited as Notes Composer Producer Writer Director Role April 14, 1918 A Dog's Life Yes Yes Yes Yes Tramp Three reels
Score composed for compilation, The Chaplin RevueSeptember 29, 1918 The Bond Yes Yes Yes Tramp Half-reel. Co stars brother Sydney Chaplin October 20, 1918 Shoulder Arms Yes Yes Yes Yes Recruit Three reels
Score composed for compilation, The Chaplin RevueMay 15, 1919 Sunnyside Yes Yes Yes Farm Handyman Three reels December 15, 1919 A Day's Pleasure Yes Yes Yes Father Two reels February 6, 1921 The Kid Yes Yes Yes Yes Tramp Six reels September 25, 1921 The Idle Class Yes Yes Yes Tramp / Husband Two reels April 2, 1922 Pay Day Yes Yes Yes Laborer Two reels February 26, 1923 The Pilgrim Yes Yes Yes Yes Escaped Convict Four reels
Score composed for compilation, The Chaplin RevueUnited Artists
Chaplin began releasing his films through United Artists in 1923. From this point on all of his films were of feature length. He produced, directed, and wrote these eight films and starred in all but the first. Beginning with City Lights Chaplin wrote the musical scores for his films as well.
Release date Title Credited as Notes Composer Producer Writer Director Role September 26, 1923 A Woman of Paris Yes Yes Yes Porter Chaplin has a small cameo role June 26, 1925 The Gold Rush Yes Yes Yes Yes Lone Prospector Score composed for 1942 re-issue
Added to the National Film Registry in 1992[13]January 6, 1928 The Circus Yes Yes Yes Yes Tramp Score composed for 1970 re-issue February 6, 1931 City Lights Yes Yes Yes Yes Tramp Added to the National Film Registry in 1991[14] February 5, 1936 Modern Times Yes Yes Yes Yes A Worker Added to the National Film Registry in 1989[15] October 15, 1940 The Great Dictator Yes Yes Yes Yes Adenoid Hynkel / The Barber Added to the National Film Registry in 1997[16]
Nominated – Academy Award for Best Actor[7]
Nominated – Academy Award for Best Writing (Original Screenplay).[7]April 11, 1947 Monsieur Verdoux Yes Yes Yes Yes Monsieur Henri Verdoux Based on an idea by Orson Welles[17]
Nominated – Academy Award for Best Writing (Original Screenplay)[7]October 16, 1952 Limelight Yes Yes Yes Yes Calvero Pulled from American screens shortly after its release when Chaplin became a political exile from the United States[18]
Academy Award for Best Music (Scoring) (Awarded in 1973 when the film became first eligible for Academy Award consideration via Los Angeles screenings.)[7]British productions
In 1952, while travelling to England to attend the première of his film, Limelight, Chaplin learned that his American re-entry permit was rescinded. As a result his last two films were made in England.
Release date Title Credited as Notes Composer Producer Writer Director Role September 12, 1957 A King in New York Yes Yes Yes Yes King Shahdov An Attica-Archway production
Not released in the United States until 1967January 5, 1967 A Countess from Hong Kong Yes Yes Yes An Old Steward A Universal Production in Panavision and Technicolor
Produced by Jerome EpsteinChaplin has a small cameo role
Other film appearances
In addition to his official 82 films, Chaplin has several unfinished productions in his body of work. He made several cameo appearances as himself and was featured in several compilation films.
Uncompleted or unreleased films
Year(s) Title Credited as Notes Composer Producer Writer Director Role 1915–1916 Life Yes Yes Yes Uncompleted, although parts were used in The Essanay-Chaplin Revue (see below) 1918 How to Make Movies Yes Yes Yes Himself Never assembled, although parts were used in The Chaplin Revue (see below)
Reconstructed in 1981 by Kevin Brownlow and David Gill[19](untitled film) Yes Yes Yes Himself A charity film co-starring Harry Lauder 1919 The Professor Yes Yes Yes Professor Bosco Slated as a two-reeler, but never issued c.1922 Nice and Friendly Yes Yes Yes Villain Improvised sketch 1926 A Woman of the Sea Yes Completed but never released
Chaplin had the negative burned on June 24, 19331933 All at Sea Himself An 11-minute home film shot by Alistair Cooke onboard Chaplin's boat, Panacea, and featuring Cooke with Chaplin and Paulette Goddard[20] 1966–1975 The Freak Yes A production planned for Chaplin's daughter, Victoria Compilations
Essanay produced three compilations without Chaplin's authority (to which he took legal action). Chaplin produced his own compilation in 1959 and was involved in the making of another in 1975.
Release date Title Credited as Notes Composer Producer Writer Director Role March 31, 1915 Introducing Charlie Chaplin Promo film intended for exhibitors to show as a prologue to Chaplin films September 23, 1916 The Essanay-Chaplin Revue Yes Yes Ex-convict Compiled by Leo White from portions of Police and Life with new material directed by White
Unauthorized by Chaplin.1916 Zepped A propaganda piece of which a seven-minute reel was discovered in 2009.[21] Put up for sale on eBay in 2011, but failed to reach auction expectations.[22] May 1918 Chase Me Charlie Yes Yes A seven-reel montage of Essanay films, edited by Langford Reed. Released in England. Unauthorized by Chaplin September 25, 1959 The Chaplin Revue Yes Yes Yes Yes Tramp / Recruit / Escaped Convict / Himself Compiled from A Dog's Life, Shoulder Arms, The Pilgrim, and How to Make Movies 1975 The Gentleman Tramp A compilation documentary featuring new scenes of Chaplin at his home in Switzerland Cameos
In addition to his own productions of A Woman of Paris (1923) and A Countess From Hong Kong (1967), Chaplin made cameo appearances as himself in the following films:
Year Title Notes 1915 His Regeneration Charles Chaplin - Customer (uncredited) 1921 The Nut Chaplin's footage does not appear in surviving prints, although one sequence that does survive features an unknown actor in Chaplin's tramp persona[23] 1923 Souls for Sale Shown on the set of A Woman of Paris Hollywood Lost film[24] 1928 Show People Added to the National Film Registry in 2003[25] Addendum
Cartoons
Chaplin "appeared" as himself in the following animated cartoon shorts:
Year Title Series 1923 Felix in Hollywood Felix the Cat 1930 Hot for Hollywood Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 1933 Mickey's Gala Premiere Mickey Mouse 1933 The Merry Old Soul Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 1936 Mickey's Polo Team Mickey Mouse Dramatic films about Chaplin
Chaplin's life has been dramatized in the following films:
Year Title Actor playing Chaplin 1989 Young Charlie Chaplin
(six-part BBC mini-series)Joe Geary 1992 Chaplin Robert Downey, Jr. 2001 The Cat's Meow Eddie Izzard References
Footnotes
- ^ McDonald, Conway & Ricci 1965/1974, p. 12.
- ^ Robinson 1985, p. 647.
- ^ Robinson 1985, p. 267.
- ^ Robinson 1985, pp. 544–549.
- ^ Robinson 1985, p. 572.
- ^ "History of the Academy Awards". The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 2009. http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/about/history.html. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g "The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences". The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 2009. http://www.oscars.org/. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
- ^ "Films Selected to The National Film Registry, Library of Congress 1989–2008". Library of Congress. http://www.loc.gov/film/titles.html. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
- ^ "The Hollywood Walk of Fame". Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Inc. 2009. http://www.hollywoodchamber.net/index.php?module=wof. Retrieved October 18, 2010. Note: Type in "Charlie Chaplin"
- ^ a b Brunsting, Joshua (June 8, 2010). "Charlie Chaplin Film Found At An Antique Sale, Once Thought Lost". The Criterion Cast. http://criterioncast.com/2010/06/08/charlie-chaplin-film-found-at-an-antique-sale-once-thought-lost/. Retrieved June 9, 2010.
- ^ Robinson 1985, p. 122.
- ^ "Hooray for Hollywood — Librarian Names 25 More Films to National Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. November 16, 1998. http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9812/film.html. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
- ^ "25 American films are added to the National Film Registry". The Courier. Associated Press. December 7, 1992. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aScOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=sX0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=2213,2097601. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
- ^ Andrews, Roberts M. (October 11, 1991). "25 Films Designated For Preservation" (Fee required). St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB04D5F1431ADB1&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
- ^ "Films Selected to The National Film Registry, Library of Congress 1989-2009". Library of Congress. Library of Congress. 2010. http://www.loc.gov/film/titles.html. Retrieved October 18, 2010.
- ^ "Librarian of Congress Names 25 New Films to National Film Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. November 18, 1997. http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/1997/97-200.html. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
- ^ Robinson 1985, pp. 519–520.
- ^ Robinson 1985, p. 579.
- ^ The film was reconstructed based on the titles and cutting order for a film entitled How Moving Pictures are Made however the Brownlow and Gill versions alters and omits titles and inserts additional scenes not referred to in the script How to Make Movies from the Charlie Chaplin Encyclopedia
- ^ Curran, John (2010). "Shot by young Alistair Cooke, home movie of Chaplin emerges after discovery". The Canadian Press. http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iCItmBB9_tVi-k0eK31CvqVjnGVg. Retrieved April 10, 2010.
- ^ Charlotte Higgins (November 5, 2009). "Collector finds unseen Charlie Chaplin film in tin sold for £3.20 on eBay". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2009/nov/05/charlie-chaplin-ebay-reel-tin. Retrieved November 10, 2009.
- ^ "Rare Charlie Chaplin film fails to sell". BBC News. 30 June 2011. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-13973098. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
- ^ Vance, Maietta, Cushman, p. 91.
- ^ "Progressive Silent Film List: Hollywood". Silent Era. http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/H/Hollywood1923.html. Retrieved 2010-01-23.
- ^ "25 Films Added to National Film Registry" (Press release). Library of Congress. December 16, 2003. http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2003/03-211.html. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
Bibliography
- Chaplin, Charles (2003). My Autobiography. Penguin Classics. ISBN 978-0141011479.
- McDonald, Gerald D.; Conway, Michael; Ricci, Mark (1965/1974). The Films of Charlie Chaplin. Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press. ISBN 978-08065-0197-0.
- Robinson, David (1985). Chaplin: His Life and Art. New York, St. Louis, San Francisco, Hamburg, Mexico: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-053181-1.
- Vance, Jeffrey; Tony Maietta, Robert Cushman (2008). Douglas Fairbanks. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California; London, England: University of California Press. ISBN 978-09520-25667-5.
External links
- "Charlie Chaplin: Official Website". Roy Export S.A.S. http://www.charliechaplin.com/. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
- "Chaplin Film Locations: Then & Now". ©1996–2009 JERRE. http://jerre.com/TandN/. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
- "Internet Archive". http://www.archive.org/index.php. Retrieved September 30, 2009. (Features Chaplin films online)
Categories:- Filmographies
- Films directed by Charlie Chaplin
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