TRIBUTES AND RETROSPECTIVES

Double Take

The Great Dictator

Charlie Chaplin
1940 - United States - 2h05

Screenings : wednesday 24 - 2:30 pm - Pathé - 2 - presented by Louis Mathieu - film teacher friday 26 - 10:30 am - 400 Coups - 1 - presented by Pierre Charpilloz - journalist

On his return from the Great War, a little Jewish barber has lost his memory. After years in hospital he regains it and goes back to his barber's shop in the ghetto. But he discovers a world of madness. A hysterical dictator, Adenoid Hynkel, his perfect look-alike, is spreading terror throught the country. With the help of his girlfriend Hannah, the barber stands up to the SS who are threatening the little community, and despite himself he finds himself caught up in this tragic farce…

In 1937 producer Alexander Korda put the idea to Chaplin of making a film about the resemblance of his character the Tramp's moustache to Hitler's. But the development took a long time and became a real hell (Chaplin received a number of death threats) with the outbreak of World War 2 in Europe. Horrified but courageous, Chaplin remained steadfast and the film was released on American screens in October 1940, and was a resounding success. “Chaplin was known for his reticence about the talkies, but embraced speech in the film, with the Hitlerian tirades (that audiences were familiar with from the newsreels) and also an anonymous voice speaking out. Thanks to his innovative use of sound, the best-known director of the silent era created a comedy of unequalled depth. The little tramp with his cane and bowler appeared for the last time, as if offered as a sacrifice to the tragedy underway”. (Charlotte Garson; Lycéens et apprentis au cinéma)

CAST AND CREW

Cast : Charles Chaplin, Jack Oakie, Reginald Gardiner, Henry Daniell, Billy Gilbert, Grace Hayle, Carter DeHaven, Paulette Goddard
Screenplay : Charlie Chaplin
Cinematography : Karl Struss, Roland Totheroh
Sound : Glenn Rominger, Percy Townsend
Editing : Willard Nico
Music : Charles Chaplin, Meredith Willson

Production : Charlie Chaplin Productions

French distributor : Théâtre du Temple