Modern Times
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Modern Times

Year:
Duration:
87 min
Genres:
Comedy | Drama
IMDB rate:
8.6
Director:
Charles Chaplin
Awards:
3 wins & 1 nomination
Details
Country: USA
Release Date: 1936-02-25
Filming Locations: Santa Clarita, California, USA
Earnings
Budget: $1,500,000
Gross: $163,245 (USA) (24 October 2004)
Cast
Actor
Character
Charles Chaplin
A Factory Worker
Paulette Goddard
A Gamin
Henry Bergman
Cafe Proprietor
Tiny Sandford
Big Bill
Chester Conklin
Mechanic
Hank Mann
Burglar
Stanley Blystone
Gamin's Father
Al Ernest Garcia
President of the Electro Steel Corp.
Richard Alexander
Prison Cellmate
Cecil Reynolds
Minister
Mira McKinney
Minister's Wife
Murdock MacQuarrie
J. Widdecombe Billows
Wilfred Lucas
Juvenile Officer
Edward LeSaint
Sheriff Couler
Fred Malatesta
Cafe Head Waiter
Sammy Stein
Turbine Operator (as Sam Stein)
Juana Sutton
Woman with Buttoned Bosom
Ted Oliver
Billows' Assistant
Norman Ainsley
Billows' Silent Assistant (uncredited)
Heinie Conklin
Assembly Line Worker Next to Big Bill
Gloria DeHaven
Gamin's Sister (uncredited)
Gloria Delson
Gamin's Sister (uncredited)
Frank Hagney
Shipbuilder (uncredited) (unconfirmed)
Chuck Hamilton
Worker (uncredited)
Pat Harmon
Paddywagon Policeman (uncredited)
Lloyd Ingraham
Frustrated Cafe Patron (uncredited)
Walter James
Assembly Line Foreman (uncredited)
Edward Kimball
Doctor (unconfirmed) (uncredited)
Jack Low
Worker (uncredited)
Buddy Messinger
Cigar Counterman (uncredited)
Bruce Mitchell
Paddy Wagon Policeman (uncredited)
Frank Moran
Convict (uncredited)
James C. Morton
Assembly Line Relief Man (uncredited)
Louis Natheaux
Burglar
J.C. Nugent
Department Store Section Manager (uncredited)
Russ Powell
Gypsy in Police Patrol Wagon (uncredited)
John Rand
Other Waiter (uncredited)
Harry Wilson
Worker (uncredited)
Did you know?
Trivia
This was one of the films which, because of its political sentiments, convinced the House Un-American Activities Committee that Charles Chaplin was a Communist, a charge he adamantly denied.
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A screening of the film closed out the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. A high point of the festival, an empty seat was illuminated by a spotlight to honor Charles Chaplin.
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The film shares many themes with René Clair's À Nous la Liberté (1931). That film's production company Tobis Film sued Charles Chaplin upon the release of Modern Times (1936) to no avail. They tried again after World War II, this time settling with Chaplin out of court. Clair - who was a great admirer of Chaplin - was thoroughly embarrassed by Tobis Film's course of actions.
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Goofs
The Bellows Feeding Machine moves closer to the boss's desk between shots.
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Set lights clearly reflected in car window as the Tramp leaves the factory in the ambulance.
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When Charlie comes back out of the machine, the footage is played backwards. The men hammering in the background give this away.
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Quotes
President of the Electro Steel Corp.: [from the Telescreen in the restroom to the factory worker] Hey you! Get back to work!
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A gamin: [Last lines] What's the use of trying?
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The Mechanical Salesman: Good morning, my friends. This record comes to you through the Sales Talk Transcription Company, Incorporated: your speaker, the Mechanical Salesman. May I take the pleasure of introducing Mr. J. Widdecombe Billows, the inventor of the Billows Feeding Machine, a practical device which automatically feeds your men while at work? Don't stop for lunch: be ahead of your competitor. The Billows Feeding Machine will eliminate the lunch hour, increase your production, and decrease your overhead. Allow us to point out some of the features of this wonderful machine: its beautiful, aerodynamic, streamlined body; its smoothness of action, made silent by our electro-porous metal ball bearings. Let us acquaint you with our automaton soup plate - its compressed-air blower, no breath necessary, no energy required to cool the soup. Notice the revolving plate with the automatic food pusher. Observe our counter-shaft, double-knee-action corn feeder, with its synchro-mesh transmission, which enables you to shift from high to low gear by the mere tip of the tongue. Then there is the hydro-compressed, sterilized mouth wiper: its factors of control insure against spots on the shirt front. These are but a few of the delightful features of the Billows Feeding Machine. Let us demonstrate with one of your workers, for actions speak louder than words. Remember, if you wish to keep ahead of your competitor, you cannot afford to ignore the importance of the Billows Feeding Machine.
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Faq
Q
What is a gamin?
A
An often homeless person roaming streets - specifically, a young person, a street urchin. Technically, a gamin is a boy; in English, as in French (the origin of the word), a girl street urchin is a gamine.
Q
A NOTE REGARDING SPOILERS
A
The following FAQ entries may contain spoilers. Only the biggest ones (if any) will be covered with spoiler tags. It is assumed that no one who is diligently avoiding spoilers will be visiting this page in the first place.
Q
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
A
For detailed information about the amounts and types of (a) sex and nudity, (b) violence and gore, (c) profanity, (d) alcohol, drugs, and smoking, and (e) frightening and intense scenes in this movie, consult the IMDb Parents Guide for this movie. The Parents Guide for Modern Times can be found at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0027977/parentalguide.
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Photos from cast
Bobby Barber
clipart digital bake sale clipart female baker silhouette baking tools clipart pink background girly