Synopsis:
The book examines Charlie Chaplin’s evolving perspective on dark comedy in his three war films, Shoulder Arms (1918), The Great Dictator (1940), and Monsieur Verdoux (1947). In the first he uses the genre in a groundbreaking manner, but yet for a pro-war cause. In Dictator dark comedy is applied in an antiwar way. In Monsieur Verdoux, Chaplin embraces the genre as an individual in defense against a society out to destroy him. All three are pivotal films in the development of the genre in film, with the latter two movies being very controversial for their time.
About The Author :
Wes D. Gehring is a professor of film at Ball State University and associate media editor for USA Today magazine for which he also writes the column “Reel World”. He is the author of 32 film-related books, including award-winning biographies of James Dean, Carole Lombard, Steve McQueen, Robert Wise, and Red Skelton.
What We Thought:
I was eager to read this book, as I have been a long time fan of Charlie Chaplin, the premise of the book sounded great, I have a love of dark comedy, and Wes D. Gehring is such a reputable author and film historian. I haven’t really read his work before reading this book, besides maybe reading his Reel World column in USA Today a few times. After reading Chaplin’s War Trilogy, I feel I may have been missing out by not reading any of Wes D. Gehring’s books sooner.
Gehring starts the book with a little back story on Chaplin, as well as his reasons for writing the book. He also talks about what inspired him to write this one, Pablo Picasso’s Guernica. You will have to read the book to see his explanation on that one, and I swear it DOES make sense.
The book is a well thought out, well-researched, comprehensive work. Gehring goes to lengths discussing each of the films. He does so not just by discussing each of the films themselves, but also writing about what lead up to each of the films, covering the time between the three films, their successes, their criticisms. No proverbial stone is left unturned in Gehring’s writing.
It gets pretty interesting when it comes to Gehring’s explanation of the inclusion of Monsieur Verdoux in with his “trilogy” of war films. He definitely makes an interesting argument. You will have to read the book yourself, and decide if he successfully defends his position.
What is also impressive is how he keeps tying everything into the big picture. He traces Chaplin’s contribution to film, especially his impact in the comedy genre, with an emphasis on his influence on dark comedy. Gehring even takes the time to reflect on Chaplin’s predecessors.
I greatly enjoyed Chaplin’s War Trilogy. I will admit, at times it was a little dry, but it keeps your attention, because it is so fascinating, and well-written. Gehring knows his subject well. I can’t heap enough praise on this book. I highly recommend it. It is especially a must-read for anyone who has a love of comedy or dark comedy.
So go get Chaplin’s War Trilogy from McFarland publishing at WWW.McFarlandPub.com,
or call their order line 800-253-2187.
The book is also available in ebook form, look through the list of ebook providers here WWW.McFarlandPub.com/customers/ebooks
Recommended If You Like:
- Charlie Chaplin
- Dark Comedy
- Entertainment history
- Historical writing
The Nerds Templar 