Camille

Fascinating images of some huge names from the arts.

This home movie version of Camille features such a stunning array of actors (Charles Chaplin, Paul Robeson, Yvonne Printemps, Aileen Pringle, Ethel Barrymore), performers (Chauncey Olcott, Serge Kousevitzky), artists (Georges Lepape, Charles G Shaw), writers (Sinclair Lewis, Somerset Maugham), and oddballs (the rest!) that it is difficult to take your eyes off the screen for a second, wondering who you might miss! It is loosely based on 'La Dame aux Camelias', but you wouldn't really know it. But for the historic and curiosity value - even lawyer Clarence Darrow makes an appearance - it is worth seeing once.

"Camille" is not a typical Charlie Chaplin short film. It was never intended for a widespread release and was made by Chaplin and his friends for their own amusement. Because of that, some unusual faces appear in the film, such as Paul Robson, Clarence Darrow, Anita Loos, Sinclair Lewis, the French actor/director Sacha Guitry. So, while Chaplin and his friends no doubt enjoyed making it and playing in it, the film would hold no great interest to others.

The story is hard to follow, to say the least. There are typed credits and intertitle cards which supposedly explain what is happening....but they really don't. As a result, it's a curio for die-hard Chaplin fans but others will likely have no interest in this rough looking film. As for a story, there really isn't one in the movie...more just folks playing dress up.

Because of the type film it is, I cannot rate it.