By the time he wrote, stared in, and directed
Modern Times in 1936, silent film production had become all but extinct in the United States. In fact, many industry insiders mocked Charlie Chaplin's rejection of sound films and warned him that
Modern Times, a film that is largely silent, would be his first flop. Yet, Chaplin insisted on releasing the film with only the most minimal of soundtracks. The only sounds one hears are sound effects used for humorous effect or for the voices of despotic figures like the factory boss. And, of course, for The Tramp's brilliant routine as the singing waiter where the director seems to mock sound films by having his beloved Tramp speak nothing but gibberish. Yet, the film was a huge commercial success and has long since been identified as one of Chaplin's most important works. Many critics and historians hypothesize that Chaplin was so resistant to sound films because he knew that his particular brand of comedy simply worked better in silence. How do you see sound functioning in this film? What purpose does it serve that is unlike what you see in sound films, or "talkies" as they were called in the 1930s? What about Chaplin's comedy makes it so wells suited to silence? How does Chaplin still hang on to those qualities in this partial sound production?
The sound in this film is very minimal it was just an “added bonus”. It was pretty similar to most of the silent films but with a little extra. Aside from the typical musical score that would accompany a silent film, this film also includes sound effects, singing, and talking, but only when the factory boss comes on screen and is directing the workers, or when he appears in the restroom while The Tramp is enjoying a cigarette and instructs him to get back to work. None of the other characters in this film talk, so there is actually no audible dialogue, which is different than other movies of the time, such as the Jazz singer that contained both singing and dialogue. The minimal sound was used as enhancement rather than being the main aspect of the film.
ReplyDeleteChaplin’s comedy is very much visual, making it very suitable for silent films. Comedic actors of today rely just as much on their lines to be funny as their actual actions. Chaplin had facial expressions and actions that did not require sound to make it entertaining. He maintains his form of comedy throughout the film, even though it actually has partial sound. One scene that comes to mind is his performance in the restaurant. As the music is playing we see typical Chaplin behavior, and even as he begins to sing, his actions and expressions remain true to him.
Charlie Chaplin, who is very famous comedian, actor, and director made a movie that was unique to the movie screen. At this time the silent films were not very in, but Modern Times got great reviews. This movie was considered a silent film, but there were sounds every once of a while to establish the important scenes. The times were there was sound was at the beginning when the factory director gave orders, which I believe Chaplin did this on purpose to show power. Another major time there was sound was when Chaplin was singing as a waiter at this café that we worked for. I believe that this built the movie to have more comedy because he was making fun of the movies with sound all the time. Another time that I heard sound was during scenes that there was supposed to be dialogue there was music playing in the background. The song was “Smile” that most of us had heard from Michael Jackson singing it, but this song tied into the movie more toward the end when they said one of their lines and the Tramp told the girl to smile at the end as they walked into the sun set. Chaplin did a great job with his role, even though there as not very much dialogue or sounds the movie was still entertaining.
ReplyDeleteIn Chaplin’s film, I see sound functioning in the movie as a back-up sound for events that heightens our suspense. He readily used music or any background noise in this movie which I value. This film uses sound as a way to make the audience feel the level of intensity or value of certain events. For instance, when The Tramp sang in the ballroom, the use of sounds allowed us to hear his true voice and the reactions of the people. Sound was special in a sense that it was only used when the director wants us to see and feel the ‘real’ thing that we wouldn’t be able to hear if it were silent. I think that the purpose of silence with Modern Times is to let people see everything that is happening and for viewers to cultivate deeply the meaning of the story that’s being told. In sound films, we hear and see everything at the same time (if we’re paying attention). We know what is coming or at least we can suspect what is going to happen next by providing us background sounds that portrays different styles of music if for instance the film is coming to a climax. In Modern Times, we can’t predict so much of the consequent events that will likely happen next because we are too busy figuring out what the characters are doing or at least lip-read. Chaplin’s comedy made it so well suited to silence because we can understand what the character is doing even though he/she doesn’t talk. The actions are not difficult to point out. It’s like watching a series of still-photographs but it tells us so much stories. The way that Chaplin portrayed the main character worked so well with silence film. Chaplin’s characterization of The Tramp is humorous, witty, and funny which creates a comedic character and film. He puts the characters in costumes that best describes their characters and roles.
ReplyDeleteIn Modern Times, there isn’t much in the way of sounds, but what is heard acts as an audio clue to what is happening. It lets the audience know what is important, or what the mood of the film is currently. Unlike in “talkies” where dialogue helps convey the feelings and mood of the scene, the sounds in this film are our cues as Chaplin performs his very visual, physical comedy. Since all of what Chaplin does is physical comedy, his film is better suited to silence because the audience need only to watch him. The musical score complements his actions and makes it more thrilling to watch. Adding dialogue would only distract from the motions which make up the story unfolding on the screen. The few sounds outside of the musical score – such as the boss barking orders, or horns honking when the cops come – draw the audience’s attention and gives authority to the objects making the sound. Using sound this way makes the actions more prominent, and keeps the audience cued in and entertained.
ReplyDeleteI think the lack of sound is what makes this film great. Chaplin's funny attitude in body language and facial expressions, makes enough entertainment that in this case, words could not fill. In the few instances where sound/dialogue is present, it only gives us a brief hint as to what is going on, to help clear up questions we may have or to make sure we understand everything that is going on. I think the purpose of this, in my opinion, could be compared to Tom and Jerry with which you do not need sound to have interest and to entertain. Mere acting and music makes it all come together. Plus the audience range is larger (small children, disabled, etc). I think having sound in this movie would have ruined it, I don't think you can put words or dialogue to Chaplin's type of humor.
ReplyDeleteThe role of sound in Modern Times is to convey emotion and make a social statement. The only sound the audience hears in Modern Times is that of music, and the voice of The Tramps employer, and other capital leaders. The music in Modern Times works to convey the actors’ emotions, or attempts to illicit a specific response from the audience. For example, the rhythm of the music picks up during points of the film that are considered exciting or comedic, such as The Tramp being chased around the steel mill during his “mental breakdown,” and the rhythm slows during scenes that the audience are to perceive as sad, such as the scene in which the Gamine’s father is killed. The music adds another level of audience response to these scenes, and contributes to the emotion expressed by the actors. Another aspect of sound within the film is that of the voice of the capital leader. The Tramp’s employer, the owner of the steel mill, is one of the only voices that the audience hears. This indicates that the despots are the only people who are heard, because they have taken speech away from the workers that they employee. It is a definite comment about the social issues of poverty, labor unions, etc., that are addressed within the film.
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ReplyDeleteIn Charlie Chaplin’s film Modern Times as well as many of his other films that have been produced throughout the years, Chaplin has captured the hearts of many. With his comedic genius and unique way of reaching out to the humoristic side of the human soul through pure movement and facial expressions, Charlie Chaplin forever revolutionized the film and sound world at an early age. Although the trend of silent film production had long died out by 1936 when Chaplin released this motion picture, it was obvious then and even today that Chaplin could still reach the heartstrings of his viewers through silent acting without the use of “talkies”. Chaplin was resistant to conforming to sound pictures and wanted to stick with silent film productions and when watching any of his films it is easy to spot why.
Charlie Chaplin has the quality of making his viewers laugh and entertaining others because of his exaggerated gestures and his large facial expressions that get any crowd going. Chaplin knew what worked for him and even though sometimes he may look silly or probably did feel silly doing the long and drawn-out, overstated facial expressions and body movements, it is what gripped the audience. The quality that makes this partial sound production interesting to the viewer besides the wonderful acting of Charlie Chaplin is the sound in the background. Without having to listen to constant voices all throughout the movie, viewers are then forced to listen to the non-diegetic music played from the music score. The non-diegetic music would speed up or slow down, giving hints and clues to the viewer as to what is going to happen and when a tense or calm moment is coming. Although this film was produced in the 1930’s, it is clear that Chaplin knew what he was doing in order to capture the attention of millions of viewers for hundreds of years.
In Modern Times, sound function is very important. Sound functions as an attention getter and keeps the audience engaged. For this reason little side sounds were perfect for doing so, the banging around and some talking. What made this silent film so humorous was how silly the Tramp was. He was very entertaining and music added to his humor. Chaplin hangs onto these qualities by adding music into the film and also the little sound effects. This was just enough sound to keep attention and keep the film very humorous. The singing also added to the purpose of sound because we needed to be able to hear him sing, that was a part of the movie that couldn’t be silent.
ReplyDeleteModern Times is a wonderful look at a mostly silent world. Sound is only present in parts where Chaplin allowed it to be present. The major parts sound takes place notably is when the authoritarian factory owner or other similar upper echelon speaks. Another example is when the comedy is enhanced by sound such as the gurgling stomachs of Chaplin and the mayor’s wife or when he performs his famous singing scene. Even then, there are still sound effects not seen in commonplace silent films. Silent movies work so well because part of the movie, here the sound is left up to the viewer’s imagination. Chaplin can sound like anyone we imagine him to sound like due to the lack of voice. Another important aspect of silent movies is they’re not quite silent, they have music. Because this music is overpowering to voice talkies cut down on the wonderful tracks made for the film. Because this was Chaplin’s style, he stuck with what he was best at. Chaplin and his signature silent tramp are made for silent movies because of his charm and silliness that mesh so well together. Yet he improved the experience further by adding only the necessary amount of sound while still keeping the charm of the silent film.
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