The Cinema

Talk Do you enjoy going to the cinema? If so, what do you like about
About It it?

People enjoy going to the cinema for lots of different reasons, including:
• the huge, bright screen;
• the speakers producing ear-splitting sound effects;
• special effects in the film (such as 3D);
• large, comfy seats;
• snacks and drinks.
Cinemas have changed greatly over the years.
 The History of Cinema
In December 1895, in Paris, the Lumiere brothers presented the first example of
pictures displayed on a screen to a paying audience. Early films often only lasted
a few minutes. They showed events in the local area, scenes from abroad or short
comedy sketches. These films were shown at fairgrounds and music halls (a type
of theatre).
These shows became extremely popular
and across the world companies were
formed to produce longer films.

A clip from an early film. How is this

different from films you watch?

“Train Pulling Into A Station” by Midnight Believer @flickr is licensed under CC BY 2.0
 Early Cinema
In early films, the only way to have colour was
to tint each frame of film by hand. Even when
other ways of adding colour were invented,
these were expensive and time-consuming.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that colour films were
regularly shown at the cinema.

Have you ever watched a film in black and

white?
 Early Cinema
During the early days of cinema, there was no way of filming pictures and recording
sound at the same time.
As cinemas started to be built, they had organs put in them, a bit like an organ found
in a church. An organist would often play music to accompany the action.

As there was no sound, the

actors’ voices weren’t heard. If
a character needed to say
something, a frame would be
inserted into the film with the
dialogue written on it.
 Charlie Chaplin
Charles Spencer Chaplin was born in London on 16th April 1889. He came from a
family of performers, with both his parents being singers and actors in the theatre.

When Charlie was very young, his father left the

family. Charlie’s mother struggled with her mental
health and was often in hospital. Charlie and his
brother Sydney had to find ways to earn money to
support their family. Both boys began to appear in
stage shows.

A young Charlie Chaplin in the play ‘Sherlock

Holmes’ aged between 14-16.

“Chaplin in Sherlock Holmes” by @Wikimedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0

 Charlie Chaplin
When he was 20, Charlie started a theatre
tour in the United States. In 1913, he signed
a contract with the Keystone Film Company
to start acting in films.
Charlie’s popularity as an actor started to
increase and he made films for many
companies.

Film poster from 1914.

“Dough and Dynamite” by Keystone @Wikimedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0
 Charlie’s Style
Charlie Chaplin became known for his moustache,
bowler hat, long shoes, ragged trousers and walking
cane.
During the silent film era, Charlie’s mannerism and
facial expressions were important for conveying events
in the film to the audience.
In his films, Charlie often performed a comedic walk,
which made audiences laugh. He was known for
‘slapstick’ comedy, which involves exaggerated physical
movements. In slapstick, characters often appear to get
injured but in a humorous way.
This style would be an inspiration for later actors and
comedians.

“Charlie Chaplin – May 1919” by Witzel L.A. @Wikimedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0
 Films
Some of Charlie’s most well-known films include ‘The Kid’ (1921), ‘The Gold Rush’
(1925) and ‘City Lights’ (1931). He won his first Academy Award for ‘The Circus’ in
1929.
One of Charlie’s most famous films was ‘The Great
Dictator’ filmed in 1940 during the Second World War. The
film was an attack on the Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler. Charlie
ended the film with a speech that said: “You, the people,
have the power to make this life free and beautiful – to
make this life a wonderful adventure. Then, in the name of
democracy, let us use that power – let us all unite. Let us
fight for a new world – a decent world that will give men a
chance to work, that will give youth a future and old age a
security.”

Did You Know?

Charlie was given his first Oscar at the very first Academy Awards. In fact, the
statues weren’t yet known as ‘Oscars’!
“The Circus (1928) – Hap Hadley Poster” by @Wikimedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0
 Other Work
As well as acting, Charlie composed music for his films. He was a talented musician
and played the piano and the cello. Music for a film is known as a ‘score’. He won an
Oscar for the score for his film ‘Limelight’. Charlie wrote many songs, including
‘Smile’, which would become a popular hit by the singer Nat King Cole.

Charlie also directed many of his films. A director is

in overall control of a film, giving direction to
actors and film crew.
Charlie authored several books including his
autobiography. An autobiography is a book a person
writes about their own life.

Think About It…

What would you most like to be and why? An
actor, a composer, a director or an author?

“Sir Charlie Chaplin, 1889 - 1977 ” by @Wikimedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0

 Charlie’s Life
Charlie was married four times and was
the father of eleven children.
In 1975, he was awarded a knighthood by
the Queen, which meant he became known
as Sir Charles Chaplin.
Charlie Chaplin died on Christmas Day
1977 at the age of 88. He died in
Switzerland where he had lived for over 20
years. His legacy on cinema continues to
this day, with one film critic describing
him as “arguably the single most important
artist produced by the cinema, certainly its
most extraordinary performer and probably
still its most universal icon.”

“Charlie Chaplin” by P.D Jankens @Wikimedia is licensed under CC BY 2.0