THE CHAPLIN REVUE is one of those films that seems like a curse to some and a blessing to others. For people just looking for some classic Chaplin, circa 1918-1923, this is the place. But for hardcore Chaplin fans this film seems somewhat of a let-down. Chaplin took three comedy classics of his-A DOG'S LIFE, SHOULDER ARMS, and THE PILGRIM-and tampered with them to create a new revue film. He stretch-printed them, which was supposed to slow them down to sound speed, but only succeeded in marring the pace, which is the thing that made these slapstick shorts so magical in the first place. Then again, this film offers these three masterpieces to a whole new generation of viewers, who, if they haven't seen the originals, will be just as pleased by this sampling of Chaplin at his comic best.
Review of The Chaplin Revue
