Part Two: New Year's Day Special with Golden Globe winning Film Director Martin Brest, who directed Scent of a Woman, Midnight Run and other films, on the Genius of Charlie Chaplin.
Part Two: New Year's Day Special with Golden Globe winning Film Director Martin Brest, who directed Scent of a Woman, Midnight Run and other films, on the Genius of Charlie Chaplin.
Few individuals did more to shape modern cinema than the actor, director and producer Charlie Chaplin. One of the greatest of all comic mimes he also pioneered cinematic techniques and story-telling. His films, with his iconic role as the beleaguered little tramp with baggy trousers, moustache, cane and bowler hat, were not only comic masterpieces, but unflinching looks at poverty, unemployment, capitalist exploitation, the callousness of authority, the search for meaning and dignity in a hostile world and the yearning for love and acceptance. He argued that drama should be derived from the close observation of life. He refused to follow the conventions, including the penchant for exaggerated melodrama, perfecting his work with hundreds of takes, subtle acting and nuanced facial expressions. He created full length feature films with highly crafted plots and characters. He strove, he said, “to put across the philosophical doubt I feel about things and people.” His films, he said, were a metaphysical excercise, an attempt to unmask as “absurd, antiquated, and unfair to humanity” the idea that there exists “a cosmos where humans were held responsible for their actions or the results of their actions.” The French filmmaker Jean Luc Goddard wrote of Chaplin that “while remaining marginal to the rest of cinema” he “ended up filling this margin with more things (what other word can one use: ideas, gags, intelligence, honor, beauty, movement?) than all directors together have put in a whole book.” Chaplin, the most famous silent film star of his era, swiftly earned the enmity of J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI who saw in his poignant portrayals of the marginalized and forgotten political subversion. The FBI, which began investigating Chaplin in 1922 and would amass an FBI file of 1,900 pages on him for his alleged “communist sympathies,” finally drove him into exile. In 1952, while Chaplin was in London for the premier of his film Limelight, the U.S. Attorney General revoked Chaplin’s re-entry permit. This ended his Hollywood career. He would spend the rest of his life in Switzerland. Joining me to discuss the importance and legacy of Charlie Chaplin is the film director, screenwriter and producer Martin Brest. Martin has directed numerous films some of which include Midnight Run with Robert De Niro, for which he won a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Motion Picture, Scent of a Woman with Al Pacino, for which he won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, with Pacino winning for Best Actor along with the blockbuster Beverly Hills Cop, nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture and the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Thanks, Chris. I've been consumed by the trauma in Gaza for what seems like forever. Thank you for reminding me of the existence of art, of beauty, of genius, if only for a moment.
Thank you for bringing art into the mix. “Nothing is better than the way things are.” Professor Huston Smith
To Chris Hedges: Your writing and perspective fortify my similar ideology amid the deceitful, disingenuous mainstream morass. That your training evolves from academic theology means a lot to me. I am privileged to read your unflinching, truth-centered journalism. Your heartfelt, inspired letter to a Palestinian child was my favorite this year. Blessings to you and yours and more peace for all in 2024. A devoted fan, Shauna.
Thank both you and Martin Brest so very much for having these wonderful conversations over Christmas and New Year. This year has been so deeply painful in so many ways, and these two episodes, while giving a break from the immediacy of addressing the world's suffering, do so while neither trivializing nor disrespecting the ongoing crises. The conversations themselves not only support but in some sense embody the relationship between Chaplin's comedy and its underlying deep seriousness of purpose you focus on.
My girlfriend has long been a Chaplin fan. I only knew a little bit about him. We loved this podcast. She has all his films and now I’m inspired to watch them. Thank you.
If you can hear the cries of those savaged by oppressors, the call for justice amidst cruelty and callousness, then you can hear better than many people.
Fantastic Chris, Chaplin's films effected me the same way, many of my friends just didn't get it or couldn't get it into silent films. So many people just can't put themselves in other peoples shoes. Be it the First Nation indigenous people of North America or the Palestinian's being butchered while watching with hasbara filled brains or willful ignorance. At an early age my first look at the system was Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath", it always put more than one tear in my eye. Tom Joad's last speech about preacher "Casey the Christ like preacher" when talking to his mother, as she warned its not good for men to be filled with hate. Should be a motto for all " Well maybe like Casey says, a fella ain't got a soul of his own, but only a piece of a big one-and then-" Then what Tom" "Then it don' matter. Then I'll be all around in the dark. I'll be everywhere-wherever you look. Wherever they's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'LL BE THERE. Wherever they's a cop beatin' up a guy. I'LL BE THERE. If Casey knowed, why, I'll be in the way guys yell when the mad an'-I'll be in the way kids laugh when their hungry an' they know suppers ready. An' when our folks eat the stuff they raise an' live in the houses they build-why, I'LL BE THERE see?" I would like to dedicate his words to you Chris, you are the closest thing to Casey or Tom with actions and words that I have ever read! You Really ARE THERE! Pity Palestine! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
I've been familiar with this song for my entire life, but never read the full lyrics. What a statement about capitalism's using and discarding of the people, without which, it would fall apart. Thank you.
Agreed. This song was very popular during the great depression and now, as things are coming, it may well be our national anthem. I got the lyrics from a recent program dedicated to Yip Harburg at Democracynow.org where Amy Goodman interviewed his son. He was also the lyricist of "Over the Rainbow" in the Wizard of Ozz and because of his leftists' tendencies he was blacklisted during the red scare, ruining his career. Quite a great artist.
Hi Chris--We have been both inundated and heartbroken with the genocide going on in Gaza; however, it is really good to see you review art and films with regard to the Golden Globes awards, and the infamous Charlie Chaplin's history of harassment by the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover. We also wish to celebrate, as Indigenous people for Lily Gladstone getting the Best Actress Golden Globe, as the first Indigenous woman to receive any Hollywood award. Albeit there is plenty of discrimination to go around still. In Gaza and American public opinion has changed, in my opinion, for the better concerning occupied Palestine. Please know we appreciate your writing and all of your articles you gifted us regarding Gaza. the Palestinians, and Israel's apartheid government. You are the best gift of the century, and you are the best writer of the century, bar none.
It would be appropriate at this moment for you to pen a tribute to John Pilger, a superhuman hero of truth and humanity.
Yes and to read his writings again will make me less sad.
Thanks, Chris. I've been consumed by the trauma in Gaza for what seems like forever. Thank you for reminding me of the existence of art, of beauty, of genius, if only for a moment.
Thank you for bringing art into the mix. “Nothing is better than the way things are.” Professor Huston Smith
To Chris Hedges: Your writing and perspective fortify my similar ideology amid the deceitful, disingenuous mainstream morass. That your training evolves from academic theology means a lot to me. I am privileged to read your unflinching, truth-centered journalism. Your heartfelt, inspired letter to a Palestinian child was my favorite this year. Blessings to you and yours and more peace for all in 2024. A devoted fan, Shauna.
Dear Chris;
Thank both you and Martin Brest so very much for having these wonderful conversations over Christmas and New Year. This year has been so deeply painful in so many ways, and these two episodes, while giving a break from the immediacy of addressing the world's suffering, do so while neither trivializing nor disrespecting the ongoing crises. The conversations themselves not only support but in some sense embody the relationship between Chaplin's comedy and its underlying deep seriousness of purpose you focus on.
My girlfriend has long been a Chaplin fan. I only knew a little bit about him. We loved this podcast. She has all his films and now I’m inspired to watch them. Thank you.
Oh I do wish I could hear this..........being deaf has wrecked my life in more ways than one.
I congratulate you Chris and all that you do for humanity.
I wish you and everyone a better New Year.
If you can hear the cries of those savaged by oppressors, the call for justice amidst cruelty and callousness, then you can hear better than many people.
Thanks. I can see and read thank goodness.
Fantastic Chris, Chaplin's films effected me the same way, many of my friends just didn't get it or couldn't get it into silent films. So many people just can't put themselves in other peoples shoes. Be it the First Nation indigenous people of North America or the Palestinian's being butchered while watching with hasbara filled brains or willful ignorance. At an early age my first look at the system was Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath", it always put more than one tear in my eye. Tom Joad's last speech about preacher "Casey the Christ like preacher" when talking to his mother, as she warned its not good for men to be filled with hate. Should be a motto for all " Well maybe like Casey says, a fella ain't got a soul of his own, but only a piece of a big one-and then-" Then what Tom" "Then it don' matter. Then I'll be all around in the dark. I'll be everywhere-wherever you look. Wherever they's a fight so hungry people can eat, I'LL BE THERE. Wherever they's a cop beatin' up a guy. I'LL BE THERE. If Casey knowed, why, I'll be in the way guys yell when the mad an'-I'll be in the way kids laugh when their hungry an' they know suppers ready. An' when our folks eat the stuff they raise an' live in the houses they build-why, I'LL BE THERE see?" I would like to dedicate his words to you Chris, you are the closest thing to Casey or Tom with actions and words that I have ever read! You Really ARE THERE! Pity Palestine! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
P.S. Woody Guthrie wrote the ballad of Tom Joad. It is on You tube preformed by Raymond Crooke
Talking of songs this is the one that has always touched me:
BROTHER CAN YOU SPARE A DIME?
They used to tell me I was building a dream,
And so I followed the mob,
When there was earth to plow
Or guns to bear, I was always there
Right on the job.
They used to tell me I was building a dream,
With peace and glory ahead,
Why should I be standing in line,
Just waiting for bread?
Once I built a railroad I made it run,
Made it race against time.
Once I built a railroad;
Now it’s done.
Buddy, can you spare a dime?
Once I built a towerTo the sun,
Brick and rivet and lime;
Once I built that tower;
Now it’s done.
Brother, can you spare a dime?
YIP HARBURG 1932
I've been familiar with this song for my entire life, but never read the full lyrics. What a statement about capitalism's using and discarding of the people, without which, it would fall apart. Thank you.
Agreed. This song was very popular during the great depression and now, as things are coming, it may well be our national anthem. I got the lyrics from a recent program dedicated to Yip Harburg at Democracynow.org where Amy Goodman interviewed his son. He was also the lyricist of "Over the Rainbow" in the Wizard of Ozz and because of his leftists' tendencies he was blacklisted during the red scare, ruining his career. Quite a great artist.
Hi Chris--We have been both inundated and heartbroken with the genocide going on in Gaza; however, it is really good to see you review art and films with regard to the Golden Globes awards, and the infamous Charlie Chaplin's history of harassment by the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover. We also wish to celebrate, as Indigenous people for Lily Gladstone getting the Best Actress Golden Globe, as the first Indigenous woman to receive any Hollywood award. Albeit there is plenty of discrimination to go around still. In Gaza and American public opinion has changed, in my opinion, for the better concerning occupied Palestine. Please know we appreciate your writing and all of your articles you gifted us regarding Gaza. the Palestinians, and Israel's apartheid government. You are the best gift of the century, and you are the best writer of the century, bar none.