Chaplin's War Trilogy
An Evolving Lens in Three Dark Comedies, 1918–1947
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Book Presentation:
The book examines Charlie Chaplin’s evolving perspective on dark comedy in his three war films, Shoulder Arms (1918), The Great Dictator (1940), and Monsieur Verdoux (1947). In the first he uses the genre in a groundbreaking manner but yet for a pro-war cause. In Dictator dark comedy is applied in an antiwar way. In Monsieur Verdoux Chaplin embraces the genre as an individual in defense against a society out to destroy him. All three are pivotal films in the development of the genre in film, with the latter two movies being very controversial for their time.
About the Author:
Wes D. Gehring is a distinguished professor of film at Ball State University and associate media editor for USA Today magazine, for which he also writes the column “Reel World.” He is the author of 40 film books, including biographies of James Dean, Carole Lombard, Steve McQueen, Robert Wise, Red Skelton and Charlie Chaplin.
Press Reviews:
Best Film Book—Huffington Post
"this tribute to Chaplin is both a brilliant textual analysis and a cultural history…Gehring remains supreme in film comedy scholarship…recommended"—Choice; "fascinating…After reading Gehring’s fine book, you’ll be eager to return to Chaplin’s films, to reexamine them with a new understanding and appreciation. He makes us aware of the timelessness of both the inventive humor and profound messages in Chaplin’s masterfully made works"—Pop Culture Classics; "a comprehensive and fascinating study…goes deep into the man’s career and his large cinematic contributions…highly recommended"—Taste of Cinema; "offers a stimulating insight into a century of cinema through the lens of Charlie Chaplin’s filmmaking"—Cercles; "an intelligent look at one aspect of Chaplin’s enormous contribution to cinema. Recommended"—Examiner.com; "a brilliant researcher"—Killer Reviews.
See the publisher website: McFarland & Co
See Shoulder Arms (1918) on IMDB ...
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