I had to watch this because nearly every film book I’ve read had that famous image of Charlie Chaplin trapped in the gears of that huge machine. I soon realized that I had seen it before – or at least parts of it. I seem to remember a blindfolded Charlie Chaplin dangerously roller skating on the 2nd floor of a department store and that final scene of Chaplin singing in the restaurant.
I have to say that the highlight of this film – other than the amazing assembly-line factory set – was the nose-powder-in-the-salt-shaker routine. Great stuff!
Charlie Chaplin vs. The Great Depression. Apparently the film was considered culturally significant in 1989 and was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. It’s clear to see why.
More than just a great comedic film, Modern Times was a reflection of a society at one of its lowest points. Despite its bleak subject matter, the film manages to remind us of the strength that love and companionship can have in such trying times. It must have been the message and the feeling everyone was looking for during the Great Depression.
