That Charles Chaplin's Little Fellow (his own name for the Little Tramp) is such a Comic Everyman enabled the master moviemaker to place the character in all manner of situations. That versatility abounds in this treasure ... more »chest of seven marvelous movies made for First National between 1918 and 1923. Included are such touchstones as Shoulder Arms (his popular portrayal of World War I trench life), The Idle Class (skewering the rich) and The Pilgrim (lampooning small-town hypocrisy), along with the charming and hilarious views of family life and romance in A Dog's Life, A Day's Pleasure, Sunnyside and Pay Day.« less
Scott T. Rivers | Los Angeles, CA USA | 01/28/2001
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Compiled, scored and narrated by Charlie Chaplin in 1958, "The Chaplin Revue" was a terrific idea to showcase three of the comedian's best films for First National: "A Dog's Life" (1918), "Shoulder Arms" (1918) and "The Pilgrim" (1923). Unfortunately, Chaplin tampered with these particular films by presenting them at a slower projection speed, which ruins the original comic timing and pacing. As a public service, avoid "The Chaplin Revue" and locate the out-of-print "First National Collection" on DVD. This excellent disc includes most of Chaplin's 1918-23 work at the proper projection speed. The difference is amazing."
Where are the actual dvd Reviews??
Emanci Rolve | Englewood, CO USA | 03/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"All the reviews posted on this dvd are for the vhs!! It's so annoying that no one seems to realize that there are not three, but SEVEN early chaplin shorts presented on the dvd (the extras have even more shorts)!! Also, the three from the 1958 re-edit entitled the 'chaplin revue' are available on the dvd in their ORIGINAL VERSIONS as well as the recut!! So will people stop complaining and give these shorts the attention and respect they deserve!! Also, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend to get the box set for the chaplin collection vol. 2, which includes this, because to get the 7 movies separatly would be $175 retail and the box set includes a special documentary on chaplin NOT AVAILABLE SEPARATLY as well as the seven films for a retail of only $100!!"
The King of the Cinema
Molly | 12/10/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Chaplin's 'Review' consists of three hilarious films straight from the genius himself. The first is 'A Dog's Life' in which the Tramp acquires a canine companion; the second is 'The Immigrant,' where Chaplin comes to America; and the third is 'The Pilgrim' in which he is an escaped con hiding out in a small town as a preacher. Chaplin as always puts everything into these and produces three hilarious winners. Great to see when you need a good laugh--Chaplin supplies that. Would you expect anything else from the King of the Cinema?"
Superior early Little Tramp.
Emanci Rolve | 05/15/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Three classics from the screen's first and finest comedian; wonderful entertainment for aficionados. Bonus: new music score and behind-the-scenes footage with Chaplin narrating."
Chaplin in his biggest hit, and one of the biggest of all ti
Roberto Frangie | Leon, Gto. Mexico | 02/11/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"In reaction to the dullness of the films of actual combat in that time, the wartime public increasingly turned to humor as escape from monotony and anxiety...
Charlie Chaplin feared that his great "Shoulder Arms" would offend people, but it became his greatest hit... In it, Charlie, by luck, courage, and devilish ingenuity wins the war singlehanded and brings a captive Kaiser in triumph to London...
The chief difference between this hilarious burlesque and some of the serious war dramas was that in Charlie's case it all turned out to be a dream..."