The last film that Chaplin would make in America was the bittersweet "Limelight", which contains a wonderful duet between him and Buster Keaton. As this two-disc DVD set reveals, the film was the result of Chaplin writing his first novel.
These discs are available to buy on their own or as part of "The Chaplin Collection: Volume 2", or as part of "Complete Chaplin Box Set".
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Picture The image transfer on this DVD is amongst the best of the collection with an excellent source print and beautiful black and white contrast showing the film off to its best ever.
Sound The 5.1 sound mix blends music and effects well to create an atmospheric track.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Introduction David Robinson describes how "Limelight" came out at the height of the witchhunts for communist sympathisers, which eventually forced Chaplin out of America. For Chaplin this film was a nostalgic look back to his formative days in London music halls.
Chaplin Today: Limelight This documentary further explores how "Limelight" was Chaplin's look back at life before WWI, and how he was inspired by characters he knew to make the film.
Deleted Scene It's not made clear why Chaplin deleted this four-minute scene, but it was likely for pacing in what was already a long film.
Original Score Fifty-nine minutes of the original score are here for you to listen to.
Footlights Chaplin himself reads extracts from the book the film was based on in this three-minute audio extract.
Additional Extra Features Also on disc two is an incomplete short film, striking home movie footage of Chaplin in the US and in a depressed looking London in 1959, trailers, eight photo galleries, a film poster gallery, and clips taken from the movies that make up "The Chaplin Collection".
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Chapters: 20
Ratio: 1.33:1 (original fullscreen ratio)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 (mono)
Audio Tracks: English, French and German
Subtitles: English and multiple languages
Captions: English, French and German
Menus: Static, with music
Special Features Subtitles: All of the special features come with subtitles apart from Chaplin Today: Limelight.
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-N5 DVD player.
Limelight DVD (1952)