CHARLIE CHAPLIN AGAIN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 2

CHARLIE CHAPLIN AGAIN

“Modern Times” at the Regent “Modern Times,” which begins its 'Wellington season at the Regent Theatre today, is Charlie Chaplin’s first appearance in five years, it is 23 years since he gave the screen the same personality which now creates and dominates "Modern Times”; and the Chaplin of the present day.is just as vigorous, just as ageless, and just as funny as tnea. In other words, "Modern Times” is as good as, if not better than, any other previous Chaplin film. To those who remember the Chaplin of the past, “Modern T'mes” will reveal itself as a memory album of his triumphs of yesteryear: to those of the younger generation who have not yet made the acquaintance of Charlie Chaplin, it can only be said that a glorious experience awaits them. Charlie Chaplin is so much a tradition of the modern world that not to have known him through bis films is not to have been properly educated. “Modern Times,” constructed as all Chaplin comedies have been, is a truly remarkable succession of "gags” and feats of funny business, beaded along the gossamer thread of a story which is rich iir humanity. This story is akin to the sentimental theme of “The Vagabond,” the most romantic of Charlie’s earlier endeavours. Sequences that follow are reminiscent of “The Floor-walker,” with its escalator, of "The Rink,” with its acrobatic rollerskating, and of "Easy Street,” in which our hero became a superman by. falling on a hypodermic needle, 'lliis time the dope is iu a salt-shaker. Superimposed over it all, and making it the authentic Chaplin comedy, is the general theme oi the triumph of the under-dog, ever under pursuit by might and power, as depicted by the law aud the police, from the Keystone Cops to the officers of modern tunes. The chases are as abundant, as thrilling as ever, and perhaps even more complex. The foil of wistful beauty in distress who arouses all the chivalrous nature of the little tramp, is in "Modern , T }mes charmingly represented by Paulette Goddard, now Mr. Chaplin’s fiancee, lhe pictur. wins its title and the best and newest o its “gags” from the addition of a theme that may be termed man v. mnchine > wherein Charlie is represented as the most conspicuous victim of modern production in a steel mill that makes noth1D And UHimof course, there is the novelty contained in the fact that Charlie does not speak, though he does himself sing one song. But so great is the power of Charlie's pantomime that he does not need to open bis mouth to make himself understood Serious-minded persons may see in the industrial aspect of “Modern Times’ something more than comedy, and perhaps rirtitly so. But the average picturegoer, young or old. will be content to simply start laughing at the first appearance of Charlie and keep on laughing at him all through.