MovieChat Forums > A Countess from Hong Kong (1967) Discussion > Should Have Stopped At 'Limelight'

Should Have Stopped At 'Limelight'

posted 18 years ago by bwpbleak
12 replies | jump to latest

Don't get me wrong, I love Chaplin more than any other in cinema, but i think if he would have stopped at Limelight it would have been the perfect end to a perfect career.

Any opinions?

[–] Trouter2000 17 years ago

well, I don't think he's ever had a bad movie, and besides this wasn't that bad. He liked acting, so naturally he kept doing it up to this film.

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[–] SnorrSm1989 17 years ago

I wish he'd managed to make The Freak in the 1970s. That would have been a perfect end.

[–] wben750 17 years ago

The Freak???

What is this??

POP QUIZ HOT SHOT

[–] bacardi_ben 16 years ago

I agree. The Freak would have been an interesting film to watch, unfortunatley by the time the script was finished in 1974 Chaplin was 85 years old and his health was beginning to fail so he was the film wasnt made.

[–] fatchinesemoses 16 years ago

Chaplin was actually ready to go with it in 1969, but then Oona pulled the plug on the project without Charlie knowing, for fear of his deteriorating health.

[–] stefanbe 16 years ago

While I really liked A King in New York, after seeing A Countess from Hong Kong, I have to agree. Limelight would have been a perfect swan song for Chaplin.

"That's one doodle that can't be undid, homeskillet."

[–] GrigoryGirl 16 years ago

Sadly, I think you're right. A King in New York has its moments, but it's a minor Chaplin film at best. And Countess is as bad as everyone has said. It's rather painful to watch, especially when you consider it was Chaplin's final film.

Limelight is a wonderful film, arguably Chaplin's most underrated. It would have been a perfect end to a great career.

Chaplin could have kept working while not making another film. He reissued a lot of his silent pictures with his own musical scores in his later years. He was a really good film composer.

Regardless, Chaplin will always be regarded rightfully as a genius.

[–] molien 15 years ago

Good point that "Limelight" should have been his last film. As bad as "Countess" is, the abysmal and embarrassing "A King in New York" is even worse.

[–] GrigoryGirl 15 years ago

I think King in New York is a little better than Countess, but both films are awful when compared to other Chaplin films.

[–] dbg1224 15 years ago

Most films are awful when compared to Chaplin's other films! I was extremely surprised by how much I liked A King in New York. What I wish is he would have done A King in New York before Limelight and than finished with Limelight.

My three favorite films (order changes): Vertigo, Taxi Driver, and 2001: A Space Odyssey

[–] ZildjianDFW 14 years ago

I agree and disagree. On one hand "Limelight" is his last true masterpiece, and it would have been a poignant and satisfying final film. But at the same time, "A King in New York" is good enough that it would have been a shame if it was never made, definitely underrated. Maybe if he had made "A King in New York" BEFORE "Limelight" and then retired. lol

[–] 14 years ago

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