“The Great Dictator” (Movie Review-10/16/40)

Microfiche-New York Times archives, McHenry Library, U.C. Santa Cruz | 10/16/40 | Bosley Crowther

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

“The Great Dictator” original trailer

[SC_Pete]

The irony is that he thought a communist dictator would be better.

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

[CougarGA7]

Classic.

[Vendome]

That was really great.

You can see where many of today’s entertainers got their inspiration. Mel Brooks comes to mind.

Thanks again.

[henkster]

The Great Dictator was a terrible movie. When first conceived, it was intended to be an anti-Nazi movie. However, during production, Chaplin’s master signed the Non-Aggression Pact with Hitler, so the tone had to change, and the message got a bit...”confused.” At the end of the movie, Chaplin informs his viewers “This is not our fight” in a plea to not come to the aid of Britain. It appears the movie was released about 9 months too soon. Otherwise, it would once again have been virulently anti-Nazi.