A Woman of Paris
A Woman of Paris
•
1h 22m
Directed by Charles Chaplin • 1923 • United States
Starring Edna Purviance, Clarence Geldert, Carl Miller
Remarkable for its psychological nuance and its boldly modern perspective on an independent woman’s search for fulfillment, Charlie Chaplin’s long-overlooked silent masterpiece A WOMAN OF PARIS is a revelation. Chaplin confounded 1923 audiences with this unexpected foray into serious drama, and by ceding the spotlight to his longtime screen partner Edna Purviance. She is captivating as the vivacious Marie St. Clair, a “woman of fate” who leaves behind her small-minded village for the glamour of Paris, where she finds herself at the center of a Jazz Age whirl of champagne soirees, luxurious pleasure-seeking, romance, and tragedy. Putting aside his Little Tramp persona, Chaplin’s second feature proved that, beyond being a comic genius, he was an artist of immense sensitivity and human understanding.
Up Next in A Woman of Paris
-
A WOMAN OF PARIS with 2005 Score
Presented here is A WOMAN OF PARIS with an alternate score created by composer and conductor Timothy Brock in 2005. This score is based on a selection of director Charlie Chaplin’s unused composition sketches (from 1951–69) and on musical themes found in Chaplin’s 1976 score, newly arranged by Br...
-
A WOMAN OF PARIS Introduction
This introduction to A WOMAN OF PARIS features Charlie Chaplin biographer David Robinson.
-
A Serious Drama
This video essay, written and narrated by Charlie Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance and produced in 2024, explores how Chaplin, by not acting in A WOMAN OF PARIS, was able to focus on developing his artistic vision as a writer and director.
