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Chaplin, Hold The Popcorn
Torontoist checked out the Cinematheque’s remastered The Great Dictator last week, and was reminded anew of the importance of a good cinematic mug. Is there a greater mugger than C. Chaplin? We’re inclined to think not. But judge for yourself as the Cinematheque unveils two other late Chaplin films this week. Tonight’s offering, Limelight, is Chaplin’s 1952 study of a failed, long in the tooth clown, and also his only filmic collaboration with Buster Keaton. A King in New York (Thursday, 8:45pm) is Chaplin’s 1957 film, a loose attack on all things American, made during the actor’s exile from the U.S. The Cimatheque has been showing all the Chaplin they can get their hands on, and these two films mark the last of their offerings. Good thing Limelight is, in the gentle programspeak of the film catalogue, “considered by many fans and cinephiles alike to be the true summit and embodiment of his art – a timeless synthesis of visual ingenuity, social critique, and, above all, the Little Tramp’s inimitable comedic dexterity.” You had us at true summit.