Limelight (1952)

Director:

Charles Chaplin

Writers:

Charles Chaplin (story)
Charles Chaplin (screenplay)

Release Date:

29 October 1952 (Argentina)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

Plot:

A fading comedian and a suicidally despondent ballet dancer must look to each other to find meaning and hope in their lives.

Plot Keywords:

Ballet | Ballet Dancer | Dancer | Music Hall | Hope

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Charles Chaplin	...	Calvero
Claire Bloom	...	Terry, a Dancer
Nigel Bruce	...	Postant, an Impresario
Buster Keaton	...	Calvero's Partner
Sydney Chaplin	...	Neville
Norman Lloyd	...	Bodalink
Andre Eglevsky	...	Dancer
Melissa Hayden	...	Dancer
Marjorie Bennett	...	Mrs. Alsop
Wheeler Dryden	...	Thereza's Doctor
Barry Bernard	...	John Redfern
Stapleton Kent	...	Claudius
Mollie Glessing	...	Maid
Leonard Mudie	...	Dr. Blake (as Leonard Mudi)
Loyal Underwood	...	Street Musician

Runtime:

137 min | USA:141 min (initial release) | UK:147 min (London premiere)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Spain:T | West Germany:12 | Germany:6 (re-rating) | UK:U | Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:G (re-rating) | Canada:G (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

RKO-Pathé Studios - 9336 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Celebrated Productions

Trivia:

The Academy Award that Charles Chaplin won for composing this film's score is the only competitive Oscar he ever received; his other awards were given to him for special achievement outside of the established categories.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the final comedy act, the pianist's chair changes between shots.

Quotes:

Terry: I'm sorry.
Calvero: You should be. A girl like you wanting to throw your life away. When you reach my age you want to cling onto it.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Zampo y yo (1966)

A fantastic movie about an old and washed-up clown who meets a young and troubled ballerina.

This was the first and only Chaplin film I have ever seen -- and it wasn't at all what I was expecting.

I was completely surprised that such a simple film could have so many layers of depth. In fact it kept me thinking days afterwards!

At it's core, I would say this movie is about the love of one's art, and the love that a couple share.

The Ballerina loves to perform but is impeded by a psychosis that makes her legs inoperable. I interpret success to be the root of the psychosis.

The Clown loves to perform but is impeded by his fear of becoming a B or C-list star. He is a legendary comedian and now that he's no longer in demand, he's convinced himself that he has to drink to be funny.

There you have it; a clown afraid of failure and a ballerina afraid of success. Together they help each other love their art more by removing those things that impede them.

The best thing about the film is that the obviousness of the plot is completely lost in the depth of the film. Chaplin uses such simple and common devices to draw the audience into his world. I know it's hard to belive, but this is a "must-see" movie!