By B.L. Ochman
This is Charlie Chaplin’s speech at the end of “The Great Dictator,” a film he wrote, produced, and starred in, and his first talking picture.
I wish this clip could be played at the Democratic Convention because its message is timeless and true. And that would be in stark contrast to the lies of the GOP Convention and platform.
In 1940, says Roger Ebert, “Chaplin was launching his comic persona against Hitler in an attempt, largely successful, to ridicule him as a clown. Audiences reacted strongly to the film’s humor; it won five Oscar nominations, for picture, actor, supporting actor (Oakie), screenplay and music (Meredith Willson).”
Excerpt from Chaplin’s speech
“I don’t want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible, Jew, gentile, black man, white. We all want to help one another, human beings are like that.We all want to live by each other’s happiness, not by each other’s misery. We don’t want to hate and despise one another.
In this world there is room for everyone and the earth is rich and can provide for everyone.
The way of life can be free and beautiful. But we have lost the way.Greed has poisoned men’s souls, has barricaded the world with hate;
has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed.We have developed speed but we have shut ourselves in:
machinery that gives abundance has left us in want.Our knowledge has made us cynical,
our cleverness hard and unkind.We think too much and feel too little:
More than machinery we need humanity;
More than cleverness we need kindness and gentleness.Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost.”
Hat tip to Peter Robbins
