A King in New York (1957)

A King in New York
Directed by Charles Chaplin
Written by Charles Chaplin
1957/UK
Attica Film Company
Repeat viewing/Netflix rental

[box] Rupert Macabee: I’m so sick and tired of people asking me if I’m this, if I’m that![/box]

The country that made Charlie Chaplin a mega-star treated him pretty despicably in the end.  He got his revenge with this film.  In more ways than one.

King Shahdov (Chaplin) has fallen victim to a revolution due to his opposition to nuclear weapons.  He takes refuge in New York where he finds his Prime Minister has embezzled his large personal fortune.  He is tricked into appearing in a candid camera type TV show in the guise of a dinner party.  Soon he is the media darling and is getting large offers for commercial endorsements.  He resists at first but poverty later changes his mind.

As one of his official duties he visits a progressive school.  There he meets Rupert (Chaplin’s son Michael) who is a philosophy protege.  Rupert’s parents were Communists and are being hauled before HUAC.  Shahdov gives Rupert shelter after he runs away from school.  Shadhov is then called before the committee where he gives an impassioned speech.

Just the plot summary should give perceptive readers an idea of why I hate this movie.  It tries too hard, and fails, to be funny and contains many dreary rants, most of which Charlie shamelessly put into the mouth of his untalented son.  Chaplin never should have started talking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtiEQ7GNens

Michael Chaplin’s rant