The Sound of Chaplin, Barbican

The Barbican continues its series of live-accompanied films with this Charlie Chaplin anthology, with scores by contemporary composers Timothy Brock and Neil Brand accompanying some of Chaplin’s most hidden gems. 
Although some of the films (Shoulder Arms, Kid Auto Races, Easy Street and The Immigrant) may not be the blockbusters most people a familiar with, all offer a window into his world and, according to Brand, offer composers an irresistible array of opportunities.
Shoulder Arms, released in 1918, is set in France during WW1. Despite the fact that Charlie finds himself in boot camp in the ‘awkward squad’, the film charts how he single handedly beats the Germans, capturing thirteen soldiers (‘I surrounded them’ the card reads) and later the Kaiser himself. Indeed his only obstacle in the entire affair is opening a package of limburger cheese (sent from home), for which he needs his gas mask.
Kid Auto Races At Venice is perhaps most notable for being the first film containing Chaplin’s ‘Little Tramp’ character to be shown to the public. Released in 1914, its subject matter is as simple as you can get, with Charlie as a spectator at a ‘baby-cart race’ and finding himself blocking the view of a camera, much to the annoyance of the cameraman. 1917’s Easy Street likewise sees the Little Tramp, this time in a more heroic role, ridding a slum of its bullies and criminals. Needless to say clownishly comic fight scenes ensue as Chaplin invents absurd way to outsmart the hoodlums.
These three films along with the far more famous The Immigrant, will be screened over the course of the evening and Brand and Brock are sure to impress with their musical scores (their acclaimed score for the 1928 film Underground was co-commissioned by the BBC Symphony Orchestra). Nor is the music exclusively confined to their own work, as audiences will also be enlightened to Chaplin’s own music, specifically composed for his films.