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October 23, 2012MUS 468I

Role of Music in Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times

Music can play an important role in film, from setting the mood to revealing the change of

characters. Among playing these two roles, the music in Charlie Chaplin's nearly-silent film

Modern Times Mickey Mouses the actions of characters.

The viewers' emotions towards characters and scenes are guided by the music. As a

comedy film, most of the music is upbeat and cheerful. Even when Chaplin's Tramp character

experiences a mental breakdown, a playful tune is played as he runs around the factory

wrecking havoc and later chases a woman down the street with the intent of turning the buttons

on her bosom with his wrenches. The music helps the viewer get in a happier mood, ready and

willing to laugh at whatever mischievous actions the Tramp preforms. There is also a scene in

which the Gamine and the Tramp eat breakfast in a makeshift home that is falling apart.

However, sweet and loving music with strings is heard and makes the audience feel how in love

they are. Of course, sadder is music is played when appropriate. After losing his job, the Tramp

wanders the streets and sorrowful music is heard. The sadder music that plays in the

background is intended to make the audience sympathize with the characters on screen. Glum

music is also played when the Gamine's unemployed father comes home exhausted. This music

transitions into a happier tune when the Gamine and her two sisters come up to their father with

food and the audience sees the family happily eating close together. The audience gets a sense

of danger from the music in other scenes. There is a menacing theme when the Tramp enters

prison for the first time. He looks so innocent and helpless that it makes the viewers feel worried

about him. There is also a scene, after the Tramp has consumed some cocaine, in which he

single-handedly faces three armed robbers. Being in danger and under drug influence, the

music is very fast paced and synchronized sound effects are heard as he slams the door on the

robbers' heads. Various types of music are played throughout the film to get the audience in the

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first of which is as an assembly line worker. The music played there is as repetitive as the

workers' motions and the speed the music is played at is adjusted as the speed of the line is

adjusted. When the line speed up, so does the music. Likewise, when the line stops, so does

the music. For the most part, this film is silent. Only his first factory boss and a few other minor

characters are given spoken lines. Most conversations between characters have no

underscoring. However, some conversations with the Tramp character have a string of notes

that mimics the voice the viewer can imagine the character having. Such an example can be

seen when the orphan girl praises the Tramp to her employer at the restaurant and then asks

him to hire the tramp. As the employer asks the Tramp if he has the skills for the job waiting on

tables and singing

the girl enthusiastically responds that he can and the tramp slowly follows

her lead and, by nodding his head, agrees with her. Throughout this whole conversation the

employer is given deep notes that suggest authority and seriousness whilst the orphan is given

higher, faster notes suggesting a high pitched voice and the quickness of the notes reinforce the

enthusiasm she displays on screen. The Tramp is given a note in between that of the girl's and

the restaurant owner and like the nodding of his head, the notes are slow.

The music in this film, written by, produced by, starring, and containing newly composed

music by Charlie Chaplin, plays so many roles. It sets the mood to shape the viewer's emotions

and opinions about the characters on screen. It makes the audience emphasize with the

characters when they are going through a difficult time, whether unemployment or death, and it

helps put them in a mood for laughter. The music also changes as the characters change. It

reveals the type of relationships between characters and hints at their desires. Lastly, it Mickey

Mouses actions by the Tramp and conversations. The music in this film adds so much to it that it

cannot be viewed in the same manner without it.