Modern Times

While I do not know much about silent films, it would seem that because sound was not always available, that the physical representations of words through acting would've been a central aspect of films without sound.  This is representative especially by Chaplin as his movements, facial and body expressions are often exaggerated, seemingly meant two-fold as an attention grabber as well as to convey meaning.  A good example of this at work in his film, Modern Times, is during his work on the factory line.  Once Chaplin stops working, his body continues to "work" and while the audience understands this represents the consuming of the worker by his work, we are dually entertained by Chaplin's humorously sporadic movements.

Sound in Chaplin's film is isolated to those characters who represent power and when the conveyance of mood is necessary  Typically in a "talkie", the focus of body movement shifts to emphasize what is being said rather than using physical characterisitcs to convey meaning.  At this point, audience members are encouraged to analyze implicit meanings of speech rather than actions.  Aside from providint context, those who have the privelege to speak in Modern Times really do not say anyghing that carries importance to the storyline and therefore their roles remain to inform rather than to give insight into the story.  For example, an important scene in this film is when Chaplin must sing at the cafe and what he recites instead makes no sense to the audience, yet they idiotically laugh and enjoy the performance regardless.  As he recites, his movement become repetitive and his expressions monotonous. As we do not understand what he is saying as well as his lack of physical cues leave us in the dark and so it is possible Chaplin is making his own commentary on the value of acting regardless of speech as speech is not always central to the story.

Chaplin does an excellent job of combining the elements of sound and action in a way that means something--both to him and his viewers.