The Clown Turns Prophet
The Great Dictator • 20m
In this visual essay, Charlie Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance draws from film stills and historical imagery to discuss the making of THE GREAT DICTATOR, the anticipation surrounding Chaplin’s first all-talkie production, and the enduring influence of his bold satire.
Up Next in The Great Dictator
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Sydney Chaplin’s Footage from THE GRE...
While Charlie Chaplin was directing and acting in THE GREAT DICTATOR, his half-brother, Sydney, was on set documenting the production in full color. His silent footage, shot on 16 mm Kodachrome film, is presented here in its entirety.
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King, Queen, Joker
In 1921, Charlie Chaplin’s half-brother, Sydney, directed and played the leading roles in KING, QUEEN, JOKER. In 1999, Chaplin historian Frank Scheide found the only elements of the film known to exist at the British Film Institute. The film’s use of a single actor in two roles and barbershop set...
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Charlie the Barber
Charlie Chaplin and his half-brother, Sydney, liked to film scenes set in barbershops, as evidenced in Sydney’s 1921 KING, QUEEN, JOKER and in this scene, shot for Charlie’s 1919 SUNNYSIDE but never used.
