Summary: Charlie Chaplin Vs. Buster Keaton
-Charlie Chaplin vs. Buster Keaton In my personal, I like Charlie Chaplin because he uses pathos in many of his films and he also made sure to use small props in his films which made him seem relatable. They have both have made a dramatic impact on the film culture of the 20th and the 21st centuries. Keaton with his large inventions and props mixed with his slapstick humor gave audiences more than enough to laugh about. While Chaplin was able to get the same reaction by using small props he was also able to use pathos to get the audience to feel a bond with the characters dilemma or hardship.
Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin have been known to be two of the best and well known silent movie stars of all time but the difference between
the two is immense in style and in creativity. Chaplin being known more for his use of smaller props as can be seen in the film “Gold Rush” when Charlie uses one of his most famous gags, The Dance of the Rolls, where he uses forks poked into bread and does a dance with the prop. But Buster Keaton preferred using larger props to get the audiences approval. In, “One Week”, he uses a large piano that falls on him to get the audiences positive reaction. Both though seem to use the some form of mechanical gags to improve their films as a whole. In the film, “The Immigrant”, Chaplin uses a moving set in the scene in the ships galley (eating area) to get the audiences to understand how most immigrants felt as they were coming to America. In contrast, Keaton uses a spinning house in “One Week” to give a sense of how grave the storm is and how messed up his house is. But the powerhouse who takes home the best use of mechanical gags is Keaton in “Cops” when he uses a ladder as see-saw and although he got hurt while filming the scene it was very clever and unique to him.
The uses of slapstick humor by both Chaplin and Keaton allow their characters to thrive and become popular with audiences alike. Chaplin’s use of slapstick humor is unique because he pushs his character into situations that would cause self-injury but still be funny. In the film, “Easy Street”, Chaplin uses a police baton and hits a crook on the head with it and knocks the crook out. Chaplin also puts the Tramp in situations where he will get hurt, for example, in “Easy Street” the Tramp takes on the giant bully, (aka Eric), and gets himself tossed across the street like a sack of potatoes. Not only is he thrown around in “Easy Street” the Tramp sits on a heroin needle causing him to become “supper strong”. Keaton
The characters that Chaplin and Keaton play are what caused these two to become worldwide sensations and allow them to influence many actors, directors, and films throughout the ages. Chaplin’s character, “The Little Tramp” was often relatable for many immigrants coming to America because he was often seen as a “victim of circumstance” where he would often find himself in situation that sometimes went in his favor.
Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin have been known to be two of the best and well known silent movie stars of all time but the difference between
the two is immense in style and in creativity. Chaplin being known more for his use of smaller props as can be seen in the film “Gold Rush” when Charlie uses one of his most famous gags, The Dance of the Rolls, where he uses forks poked into bread and does a dance with the prop. But Buster Keaton preferred using larger props to get the audiences approval. In, “One Week”, he uses a large piano that falls on him to get the audiences positive reaction. Both though seem to use the some form of mechanical gags to improve their films as a whole. In the film, “The Immigrant”, Chaplin uses a moving set in the scene in the ships galley (eating area) to get the audiences to understand how most immigrants felt as they were coming to America. In contrast, Keaton uses a spinning house in “One Week” to give a sense of how grave the storm is and how messed up his house is. But the powerhouse who takes home the best use of mechanical gags is Keaton in “Cops” when he uses a ladder as see-saw and although he got hurt while filming the scene it was very clever and unique to him.
The uses of slapstick humor by both Chaplin and Keaton allow their characters to thrive and become popular with audiences alike. Chaplin’s use of slapstick humor is unique because he pushs his character into situations that would cause self-injury but still be funny. In the film, “Easy Street”, Chaplin uses a police baton and hits a crook on the head with it and knocks the crook out. Chaplin also puts the Tramp in situations where he will get hurt, for example, in “Easy Street” the Tramp takes on the giant bully, (aka Eric), and gets himself tossed across the street like a sack of potatoes. Not only is he thrown around in “Easy Street” the Tramp sits on a heroin needle causing him to become “supper strong”. Keaton
The characters that Chaplin and Keaton play are what caused these two to become worldwide sensations and allow them to influence many actors, directors, and films throughout the ages. Chaplin’s character, “The Little Tramp” was often relatable for many immigrants coming to America because he was often seen as a “victim of circumstance” where he would often find himself in situation that sometimes went in his favor.