DVD Mini Review - A King in New York
A King in New York is another wonderful creation of Charles Chaplin. In this film he gives it back to the US who, at the time the film was made, banned him from entering the US (after telling him to leave a few years before that).
In the film Chaplin plays the deposed King Shahdov of Estrovia. He and his faithful companion (played by Jerry Desmonde) flee to the US. Of note, Shahdov was overthrown because he wanted to use atomic energy for good things, not to make bombs.
When he arrives in New York many strange things happen. He is tricked into becoming a television commercial celebrity. And he meets all kinds of strange and pushy people. There are many funny sequences. These include a segment where Shahdov goes through plastic surgery and a segment where he gets his finger stuck in a fire extinguisher. I laughed a lot during that one.
One of the people he meets is a boy named Rupert (played by Chaplin's son Michael). Rupert is wise for his age but very lonely. They take a liking to each other. Rupert's parents are Communists. This leads to Shadhov being forced to testify before the House Unamerican Activities Committee. This is certainly from a chapter in Chaplins own life. I will not tell you how this all turns out. See the film for yourself.
The more I see of Chaplin's films the more confirmation I have of his genius. Today's young filmmakers can learn a thing or two from him. I highly recommend this film to all of you who love good cinema.
In the film Chaplin plays the deposed King Shahdov of Estrovia. He and his faithful companion (played by Jerry Desmonde) flee to the US. Of note, Shahdov was overthrown because he wanted to use atomic energy for good things, not to make bombs.
When he arrives in New York many strange things happen. He is tricked into becoming a television commercial celebrity. And he meets all kinds of strange and pushy people. There are many funny sequences. These include a segment where Shahdov goes through plastic surgery and a segment where he gets his finger stuck in a fire extinguisher. I laughed a lot during that one.
One of the people he meets is a boy named Rupert (played by Chaplin's son Michael). Rupert is wise for his age but very lonely. They take a liking to each other. Rupert's parents are Communists. This leads to Shadhov being forced to testify before the House Unamerican Activities Committee. This is certainly from a chapter in Chaplins own life. I will not tell you how this all turns out. See the film for yourself.
The more I see of Chaplin's films the more confirmation I have of his genius. Today's young filmmakers can learn a thing or two from him. I highly recommend this film to all of you who love good cinema.
posted by Film Fanatic | 7:58 PM
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