Chaplin: Genius Of The Cinema
by Jeffrey Vance

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Book Reviews of Chaplin: Genius Of The Cinema

Book Review: A beautiful and insightful tribute to Chaplin
Summary: 5 Stars

I have collected nearly every Chaplin book written in English. They could--and do--fill a small library! How can I sum up what makes this book special? My answer: the book's chapter on Chaplin's 1923 drama "A Woman of Paris."

"A Woman of Paris" was a film I had seen once in the early 1980s and never wanted to see again--despite what David Robinson and others whom I admire wrote about it in other Chaplin books. The rare and beautifully reproduced pictures from the film in "Chaplin: Genius of the Cinema" drew me to the chapter. Then I started to read the text. It explained--for the first time I felt--WHY the film was/is a masterwork. The account of Chaplin's use of decor, parallel events, and objects in the film is very impressive. So too are the comments the author has collected from such varied directors as Rex Ingram, Eisenstein, Michael Powell, and Martin Scorsese praising the film.

That chapter made me want to see the film again! I watched "A Woman of Paris" last week with new eyes and loved it. It's now one of my favorite Chaplins. And this is due in large measure to this wonderful book.

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