The Great Dictator (1940)

Charles Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Jack Oakie

Directed by Charles Chaplin

Available to stream on Prime Video

In March we are watching movies that take us through the "War Years" -- beginning with movies from 1940 before the US officially entered the War.

In our first "War Years" film, Charlie Chaplin plays dual roles as German dictator Adenoid Hynkel and as a poor Jewish barber, with Jack Oakie as Italian dictator Napaloni (Mussolini) in this brilliant combination of satire, comedy, drama, and plea for peace.

Charlie Chaplin in "The Great Dictator"

Why we love it: This film is unique, unusual, and really indescribable; at times hilarious and satirical, but sad when you know how it all came out in the following five years. The film ends with a 6 minute close-up of Chaplin speaking to the audience, pleading for democracy and humanity.

From "Motion Picture" 1940

Fun Facts:

• The film was quite controversial at the time it was made. Since the US was not yet in the War, Hollywood was reluctant speak out against the Nazis. Glenn Erickson from The Criterion Collection writes: "At a time when isolationist and pro-German influences in Washington were warning Hollywood not to provoke Adolf Hitler, the independent Chaplin directly attacked the Fürher and drew attention to the oppression of Jews in the European Ghettos. Producers ordinarily avoid topicality of any kind, let alone such direct provocation...Even as war raged in Europe, Hollywood was expected to look the other way. Politicians gave independent producers a hard time for making anti-Nazi films even when the enemy wasn't specifically named...It was in this atmosphere of appeasement and moral cowardice that Chaplin risked his fortune on a matter of principles."

• Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin were married at the time. She was his third wife.
  

• In the 1930's cartoonists and comedians had compared Hitler's appearance (especially the moustache) to Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin and Hitler were also similar height and weight and had been born only four days apart in 1889.
  

• When the film was released, Hitler had it banned in Germany and all occupied countries, but apparently he had a copy brought to him that he watched by himself.
  

• This film was Charlie Chaplin's first true sound film and his first talking role.

• The Great Dictator was written, directed, and produced by Charlie Chaplin. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards: Best Actor, Best Original Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor, Best Original Score, and Outstanding Production.
  

• One of the most memorable scenes is when Adenoid Hynkel dances around his office with a balloon globe. The scene is set to the music of Wagner's Lohengrin, Hitler's favorite opera.

• In his 1964 autobiography, Chaplin wrote, "Had I known of the actual horrors of the German concentration camps, I could not have made The Great Dictator; I could not have made fun of the homicidal insanity of the Nazis."
  

• For reviews and articles from the time, go to the Fan Magazine Reviews page.
  

Featured Cocktail:

Negroni (in honor of Jack Oakie’s memorable satirical portrayal of Mussolini (Napaloni) in The Great Dictator)

The key ingredient in the Negroni is the Italian bitter liqueur Campari. Campari was invented in 1860 and the Negroni has been long enjoyed in Italy, as the director Orson Welles reported in 1947 while filming in Rome. However, neither the drink nor the liqueur became readily available everywhere else until recent years. The drink is named after its supposed inventor, a mythical Count Negroni.

Pour 1 oz (30 ml) each of Campari, gin, and sweet vermouth into an ice-filled rocks glass. Stir briefly and garnish with an orange wheel. Feel free to adjust the proportions to suit your taste.

Cheers to the Classics!