Limelight

1952
U
2h 17m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

23K

YOUR RATING

Charles Chaplin and Claire Bloom in Limelight (1952)

Play trailer1:38

1 Video

48 Photos

Drama Music Romance

A fading comedian and a suicidally despondent ballet dancer must look to each other to find purpose and hope in their lives.A fading comedian and a suicidally despondent ballet dancer must look to each other to find purpose and hope in their lives.A fading comedian and a suicidally despondent ballet dancer must look to each other to find purpose and hope in their lives.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

23K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 7 wins & 4 nominations total

Trivia
The Academy Award that Sir Charles Chaplin won for composing this film's score is the only competitive Oscar he ever received; his other awards were given to him for special achievement outside of the established categories.

Goofs
In discussing the ballet with the cast, the dance director Bodalink casts a giant shadow in front of the auditorium seats (revealing it to be nothing more than a backdrop).

Quotes
Terry: If all else fails, there's always that little home in the country.
Calvero: This is my home, here.
Terry: I thought you hated the theater.
Calvero: I do. I also hate the sight of blood, but it's in my veins.

Crazy credits
"The glamour of limelight, from which age must pass as youth enters."

Alternate versions
The version of the film that premiered in London in 1952 ran 141 minutes. It had been in distribution for several months, when Charles Chaplin recalled film prints and deleted a scene in which Calvero leaves the sleeping Thereza, and goes to a bar, where he meets his old friend Claudius, the arm-less violin player, who gives Calvero money. The film ran 137 minutes after this scene was edited out for worldwide distribution. In the ending credits, there is still a billing for Stapleton Kent as Claudius, even though he is no longer seen in the film. The DVD includes the deleted scene as an extra feature.

Connections
Edited into Histoire(s) du cinéma: Une histoire seule (1989)

Soundtracks
Eternally (Terry's Theme)
(1952) (uncredited)
Music by Charles Chaplin

User reviews134

Review

Featured review

A touching story about a ballerina & a clown!

Charles Chaplin is, at least for me, the best film maker of all time. And Limelight is his best film. It is one of the 10 films I have given 100/100.

The film is about this old comedian who can't find himself a job. He saves a young girl who tried to commit suicide. Well, they become friends and stuff.

Simply the film is perfect. There is nothing bad I could say about it. Well, maybe the ballet scene was too long (but maybe I just can't concentrate enough). The script, the music, the actors, the whole philosophical structure of the film! They are all perfect. And the end of the film is something so beautiful that you really have to see it.

If there is one thing you have to see, make sure it'll be Chaplin's Limelight!