| Limelight | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Limelight_(1952)_-_original_theatrical_poster.jpeg) Original theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Charlie Chaplin |
| Screenplay by | Charlie Chaplin |
| Story by | Charlie Chaplin |
| Produced by | Charlie Chaplin |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Karl Struss |
| Edited by | Joe Inge |
| Music by | Charlie Chaplin |
Production company | Celebrated Productions |
| Distributed by | United Artists (1952 release) Columbia Pictures (1972 release) |
Release date |
|
Running time | 137 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $900,000[1] |
| Box office | $8 million |
Limelight is a 1952 American comedy-drama film written, produced, directed by, and starring Charlie Chaplin, based on a novella by Chaplin titled Footlights.[2] The score was composed by Chaplin and arranged by Ray Rasch.
The film stars Chaplin as a washed-up comedian who saves a suicidal dancer, played by Claire Bloom, from killing herself, and both try to get through life. Additional roles are provided by Nigel Bruce, Sydney Earl Chaplin, Wheeler Dryden, and Norman Lloyd, with an appearance from Buster Keaton. In dance scenes, Bloom is doubled by Melissa Hayden.
Upon the film's release, critics' reception was divided; it was heavily boycotted in the United States because of Chaplin's alleged communist sympathies, and failed commercially. However, the film was re-released in the United States in 1972, which included its first screening in Los Angeles. This allowed the two-decades-old film to be in contention for the 45th Academy Awards where Chaplin won his only competitive Oscar. Today, the film is sometimes regarded as one of Chaplin's best and most personal works, and has attained a cult following.
- ^ Tino Balio, United Artists: The Company That Changed the Film Industry, University of Wisconsin Press, 1987 p. 56–58
- ^ Robinson, David (2015). Charlie Chaplin: Footlights with The World of Limelight. Cineteca di Bologna. ISBN 978-8895862828.