3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The early years.., August 28, 2000
This review is from: Charlie Chaplin: Eternal Tramp [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This 1 hr. long video is narrated by Gloria Swanson (a silent star who worked with Chaplin), and shows clips from Charlie Chaplin's early days with Keystone, Essanay, Mutual. She gives us a look at his genius. (In the background there's piano music). By the way, if you want the only authorized video biography, it's called "The Gentleman Tramp" narrated by Walter Matthau.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Chaplinesque, February 10, 2009
This review is from: Charlie Chaplin: Eternal Tramp [VHS] (VHS Tape)
THE ETERNAL TRAMP (aka "Chaplinesque, My Life and Hard Times") (1972) is in newspaper lingo a "puff piece."
Charlie Chaplin's entire pre-Hollywood life is covered in about 3 minutes without mention of family. Nor are his many co-stars discussed or even named. Film clips are taken from a handful of SENNETT, ESSANAY and MUTUAL shorts. Chaplin's later classics are laundry-listed with a single photo or movie poster repro each. After this, the previously seen shorts are excerpted again for "an examination of Charlie the tramp" which simply states the obvious.
Gloria Swanson is an able narrator stuck with copy that's pure fan worship. An annoying solo piano plays throughout. As documentaries go, this one's rather weak.
As of 2/09, "Eternal Tramp" was not available on DVD.
Recommended: THE CHAPLIN REVUE (1959) is a highlight film assembled by Sir Charles himself. Silent era clips are shown in REAL time rather than the super-fast exaggeration caused by running them at 24 fps. (
VHS edition) (
DVD edition)
CONTENTS of THE ETERNAL TRAMP:
Vignettes from:
MAKING A LIVING (1914) - his screen debut
KID AUTO RACES AT VENICE (1914) - first appearance of tramp character
THE NEW JANITOR (1914) - introduces pathos
THE TRAMP (1915) - first major role
THE FLOORWALKER (1916) - man-in-the-mirror gag
ONE A.M. (1916)
THE PAWNSHOP (1916)
EASY STREET (1916)
THE IMMIGRANT (1917)
THE ADVENTURER (1917) - last Mutual short
Snippet of silent Chaplin cartoon
Quick list of his independent shorts and features
Examination of Charlie the Tramp's personality traits, motivations and moods
The character's strengths: chivalry, stoicism, bravery, humanity,
compassion, cunning, graceful agility and acrobatic skills
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