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Charlie Chaplin


pixie_twinkle
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As an enormous admirer or Chaplin's films I have often wondered if there exist any CDs of his film scores. Does anyone here know of any? I'm especially interested in finding scores for The Kid, City Lights, Modern Times, and his earlier First National films. Carl Davis recently re-recorded the score for City Lights for a restored theatrical release of the film but I don't think it's available on CD except for a 4 minute cut on the Cinema Century 3-disc set of 10 years ago.

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Pt. 1 is much better. And in Pt. 2 they don't even perform the best pieces from the movies in a lot of the tracks And I didn't need another Gone With The Wind or Casablanca (which I don't like).

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I should listen to Serenade 2 again...I think I rather liked it. I generally find #1 a rather boring affair.

As for the Chaplin scores, I don't know if they're available on CD, but they occasionally perform concerts (live to the movie) of his scores in Vienna's Konzerthaus.

Marian - who managed to miss them all so far. :)

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His scores are great, especialy Modern Times and Limelight (he won the oscar for Limelight, and he beat Poseidon Adventure and Images)

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As an enormous admirer or Chaplin's films I have often wondered if there exist any CDs of his film scores. Does anyone here know of any? I'm especially interested in finding scores for The Kid, City Lights, Modern Times, and his earlier First National films. Carl Davis recently re-recorded the score for City Lights for a restored theatrical release of the film but I don't think it's available on CD except for a 4 minute cut on the Cinema Century 3-disc set of 10 years ago.

The City Lights score is available on CD, at least it was a couple years ago when I bought it. I also have a CD called "Oh That Cello" featuring cello pieces written by Chaplin, it includes the theme to Limelight. Other than that, I'm not sure if the rest of the tracks are taken from any of his film scores or if they are just pieces he wrote outside of film. I will try and find out.

As for Limelight winning the Oscar in 72, though not undeserved, I think it was more a big apology for the way Chaplin was ousted from Hollywood and the country back in the 50s. If Williams is going to lose, at least its to a legend.

Jeff - who, coincidentally, just watched "Modern Times" and "The Circus" yesterday...

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The City Lights score is available on CD, at least it was a couple years ago when I bought it.

Looks like it is out of print...

http://www.moviemusic.com/comments.asp?id=citylights

I'd be happy to burn it for you or something if you can't locate a copy, email me if you like.

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Thanks I'd love a copy! Likewise I'd be happy to burn anything you'd like. I have pretty much anything by Williams! Even so, I'm AMAZED the Chaplin scores aren't available!

Does anyone know the story behind the song Smile? I know the theme originally appeared in Modern Times, at the end of which Chaplin tells the Gamin to smile (in a beautifully mimed sequence that brings a smile and, perhaps, a tear). Were the words to the song already written by this stage I wonder?

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Thanks I'd love a copy! Likewise I'd be happy to burn anything you'd like. I have pretty much anything by Williams! Even so, I'm AMAZED the Chaplin scores aren't available!

Sadly, the only people who appreciate Chaplin, or silent films in general, are film buffs. And there are just too few of us out there.

I have everything by Williams, unless you have something extremely rare and obscure. Could you send me a list? Actually, you don't have to send me something in return... you're in Ohio and I'm in Maryland so the postage would be pocket change. If you want to email or PM me your address, I can get it out to you by the end of the week.

Jeff

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Pt. 1 is much better. And in Pt. 2 they don't even perform the best pieces from the movies in a lot of the tracks And I didn't need another Gone With The Wind or Casablanca (which I don't like).

:| 8O 8O 8O 8O

Wait, wait a minute...!!!! I would have to disagree, but maybe I shouldn't. I realize it just comes down to tastes.

I very very much prefer the second Cinema Serenade over the first. We could probably argue about the sound quality of both, but it's of very little importance now. But! The selections on the second are top notch and nothing short of stunning. They're all performed brilliantly and I love the "classical" feel the performers along with Williams punched into it.

First Cinema Serenade is stale, just like The Hollywood Sound is selections-wise; much of the material on it is so notoriously known that it must come across to many as worn-out, although the warm performances of the selections freshen it a lot.

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I don't like Perlman's palying in it, and I don't like most of the selections. To me, his playing often sounds too mechanical, too easy, not enough emotion coming through (on CD 2, not in general).

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You think he skimped his score in the cues on this second CD? I'm asking this because I think this "detachedness" is Perlman's forte. The music itself carries its own message within the notes it's made of, so why add anything thru composer's playing when it's all in it already?

Anyway, we've both said enough to the issue, no need to ruminate on this any more. I like it, you don't. wondering what others think, though.

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Chaplin, if it was easier to find his movies, I would have seen them by now..

They're out there, this past month TCM aired all of Chaplins classics and documentaries on them as well. Two comprehensive DVD box sets were just released. I urge you to seek them out, if nothing else at least City Lights. City Lights never fails to make me laugh and cry.

:| The Boxing Match - City Lights (Chaplin)

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Yeah, I've seem them, problem is I can not afford a box set... I have not seen them for rent or online. :|

Well I found Modern Times today. 8O

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I've only seen three movies of his- Limelight, Modern Times & The Great Dictator. I don't think Modern Times is as great as people say, but the other two are fantastic. And I know I must see City Lights and Gold Rush, and I'll get to them in time (I just a few weeks ago saw 7 Buster Keaton movies, so I'm sure I'll get to Chaplin soon enough).

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Modern Times isn't quite Chaplin at his best IMO, though it does have feature some of his greatest sequences. The factory, rollerskating blindfold etc. My all time favourite Chaplin movies are:

The Kid

City Lights

Sunnyside

Closely followed by:

The Gold Rush

The Circus

The Immigrant

Pay Day

Limelight

I have yet to find a decent collection of Chaplin Keystone movies though. They seriously need to be restored!!!

MaestroJW, I sent you a PM re. the Chaplin CD. If you don't get it let me know on this thread.

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Do you say this about Modern Times to get me to see his other movies? :P Anyway, I really want to find The Great Dictator, I read Hitler wasn't sure whether to laugh or rage.

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He wanted to shave his moustache after it, as he grew it because Chaplin was his idol, but his advisors told him not to. What's strange is he saw it twice.

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MaestroJW, I sent you a PM re. the Chaplin CD. If you don't get it let me know on this thread.

I got it... I will mail you the CDR tomorrow. Been so busy lately, going on vacation Wednesday.

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Thanks! I hope I remembered to put my address on there!!! BTW. I just became an Uncle!

Congratulations, Uncle pixie! I just sent you a PM and an email regarding your address. Get back to me.

Jeff

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