Latest news with #CharlieChaplin
Business Standard
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Laugh Riot on Delhi Stage- Harshvardhan Haveli Mein Hatya or Hasya!
VMPL New Delhi [India], June 23: Imagine everything that could possibly go wrong in a stage production -- missed cues, collapsing sets, forgotten lines, and unconscious actors -- then multiply it by ten. That's exactly what you get with Harshvardhan Haveli Mein Hatya (or should it be Hasya!), the uproarious comedy currently running at [Shri Ram Center, Mandi House], and leaving audiences gasping for breath... from laughter. Dramatech's 'Harshvardhan Haveli Mein Hatya' has a play within it written by fictitious Colonel Ranjeet Singh, which follows the misadventures of the DramaStretch Theatre Society as they attempt to stage a classic murder mystery set in 1972, Himachal Pradesh, India. What begins as a noble effort quickly devolves into utter chaos as props malfunction, actors get stuck in doorways, and lines are forgotten, mispronounced, or repeated ad nauseam. The brilliance of Harshvardhan Haveli Mein Hatya in its precision-crafted chaos. Behind the curtain of apparent disaster is an impeccable sense of timing, clever choreography, and physical comedy that would make Charlie Chaplin proud. It's slapstick meets Sherlock Holmes, with a dash of absurdity that keeps the laughs coming long after the curtain falls -- or rather, collapses. Leading the mayhem is Chandan Mohan Sharma, who plays the earnest but hapless director-turned-inspector. His attempts to salvage the show while maintaining character add an extra layer of hilarity. Supporting performances from Janardhan, Anita, and a rotating cast of "injured" performers elevate the comedy to new heights (and depths, when one falls through a trapdoor). Director Ananya Shrangi deserves credit for orchestrating this beautiful disaster. Every stumble, fall, and missed cue is flawlessly executed -- a testament to how difficult it is to make a play go this wrong, so perfectly. If you're looking for an evening of unfiltered fun, unintentional (but intentional) bloopers, and theatrical brilliance disguised as blunders, Harshvardhan Haveli Mein Hatya is a must-see. Just don't sit too close to the stage -- falling props are practically part of the cast. SHOW INFO: Venue: Shri Ram Center, Delhi Dates: June 28- 29, 2025 Tickets: Available on book my show- Future dates- July 26/27 and Aug 16/17 at LTG Mandi House, Delhi.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Borat' Director Stopped Talking to Sacha Baron Cohen After He Started ‘Surrounding Himself' With ‘Show Business People' and ‘Pulling Away' From Subversive Humor: ‘He Wanted to Be More of a Traditional Movie Star'
'Borat' director Larry Charles has lost touch with his once-frequent collaborator, Sacha Baron Cohen. In a recent interview with the Daily Beast, Charles said he once considered Cohen a 'comic genius,' comparing him to the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Peter Sellers. However, when they began production on their 2012 film 'The Dictator,' their relationship deteriorated as Cohen started 'pulling away' from the subversive character humor that made him famous. Charles suspected it was because 'he wanted to be more of a traditional movie star.' More from Variety Sacha Baron Cohen as Elon Musk? Actor Would Be the 'Most Hilarious Choice' to Portray Mogul in Movie, According to Musk's Grok AI Chatbot: 'Comedic Goldmine' Sacha Baron Cohen Revives Borat to Mock Trump and Tell Kamala Harris: 'You're a Woman, a Person of Color and Married to a Jew. I Advise You Not to Come to Kazakhstan' Rebel Wilson's Memoir to Be Published in U.K. With Sacha Baron Cohen Allegations Redacted 'He was surrounding himself with more traditional show business people and getting advice from them, which I don't think was good advice for the kind of rebel sensibility that Sacha had had up until that time,' Charles explained. 'And so, for a variety of reasons, it started to kind of fragment and fracture and fall apart. And the movie's not bad. It's good. It's funny. There's actually a lot of funny stuff in it, but it just didn't reach the potential that it had.' According to Charles, 'The Dictator' was a 'very problematic project from the beginning.' At first, he imagined the film as a 'classic political satire' more akin to 'Dr. Strangelove' than 'Borat' or 'Brüno.' However, the movie fell apart because of too much 'input from outside people' as well as a lack of 'focus' from Cohen. 'I would try to get [Cohen] to trust himself, trust his instincts, which I've learned is the only thing you have,' Charles said. 'And instead, he was trusting so many different people with so many different contradictory thoughts that it started to just unravel and issues arose that should never have been issues.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Wall Street Journal
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
‘The Gold Rush': Charlie Chaplin's Mother Lode of Innovation
Charlie Chaplin was already an international celebrity and king of silent cinema when he made 'The Gold Rush,' his Klondike comedy adventure that had its premiere 100 years ago this month at Grauman's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. But there was still a great deal riding on the production. His previous feature, 'A Woman of Paris' (1923), had failed at the box office, in no small part because Chaplin sidelined his beloved 'Little Tramp' (or 'the little fellow,' as he liked to call his alter ego) and mostly remained behind the camera. Lesson learned: This time Chaplin would pit his bowler-wearing underdog against the fiercest elements, from blizzards and starvation to outlaws, cads and a very persistent bear. The resulting film remains a towering monument in the medium's history. 'The Gold Rush' is a work of innovation notable not just for Chaplin's mastery of extended comedic scenarios but also for the bold visual effects executed by Chaplin and his endlessly innovative director of photography, Roland Totheroh. Together they created a series of indelible illusions.
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
'I took my toddler to unique UK 5 star hotel - this is what it was really like'
I'm sure most people would wince at the thought of taking their toddler to a five-star hotel. The image of trying to manage an unwieldy child in the hushed corridors of a plush hotel would put most parents off. However, I recently took my 15-month-old to the gorgeous Grand Hotel in Eastbourne and it was the rest we all needed as a family. We decamped for the weekend to the iconic Grand Hotel Eastbourne which is known as the 'White Palace' of the South Coast and has been serving up luxury since 1875. The hotel has welcomed many famous faces over the years, including French composer Claude Debussy and Charlie Chaplin, and it is one of a very small handful of five star hotels at the British seaside There's hints of that old world glamour throughout with pictures of the hotel orchestra and illustrated images of the stylish Victorian set enjoying afternoon tea. While the hotel is very much 'grand' with tall ceilings, luxurious furnishings and stunning sea views, it wasn't stuffy like some establishments can be. Our sea view suite was large and comfortable with plush furnishings and a gorgeous terrace overlooking the coastline. The hotel facilities were equally luxurious with both and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Situated at the front of the hotel with its beaming white Victorian architecture, the outdoor pool is truly one of its unique selling points. Heated to a balmy 29C, the outdoor pool is ideal for children and parents alike and my daughter loved splashing around in the sun. The indoor pool is heated to a similarly bath-like temperature and the leisure centre also boasts a steam room, a spa bath and gym for when parents want to take a break. For those hoping for some chill time, the spa has eight treatment rooms and offers a range of treatments and massages. Feeding toddlers can often be a bit of a nightmare and I was a tad concerned about causing a ruckus in a fancy dining room, but I needn't have worried as the staff couldn't have been more helpful. Without even asking, a waitress appeared with plastic bowls and spoons for our little one at breakfast and another server brought her some warm milk at dinner. And no one batted an eye when a substantial amount of Weetabix / mashed potato ended up on the floor. It's so easy to worry about disturbing other diners but most people were delighted to say hello to my toddler as she pottered about waving at everyone and hiding behind the heavy drapes. While being a very grand hotel - please pardon the pun - the atmosphere was really inclusive and we really felt like we got a break. As many parents will know, not having to cook and clean for a few days is bliss and we didn't feel confined to our room whatsoever, enjoying the leisure centre, plush common areas and the Lounge Terrace. We could tag team going to the leisure centre, enjoyed leisurely breakfasts in the stunning Garden Room restaurant and took afternoon naps in our sea view suite. Not only was the hotel wonderful, but it's just metres away from the seafront with stunning views of the English Channel, making it the perfect location for exploring the beach, Beachy Head and the town of Eastbourne. We walked the promenade, which was really accessible for a buggy and also a safe distance from the road if our daughter wanted to walk. We also spent a sunny afternoon pottering up and down the beach and enjoying some music as we sat outside a pub on the pier. My takeaway? Don't be afraid to take your children to a hotel if it's something you're considering. I've often thought it might not be the most practical but the staff were so attentive, we didn't feel like we were in the way and there was lots to do. And what's even better is that we got a bit of a break as well. You can get a breaking travel stories along with some of the most interesting, important and fun travel stories sent to your phone every day by subscribing to the Mirror Travel WhatsApp. It's completely free and takes minutes to do. The Grand Hotel Eastbourne is celebrating 150 years with a special Afternoon Tea – from £36 per person. Honouring The Grand's rich 150-year history, a limited-edition afternoon tea pays fitting tribute to timeless luxury. In addition to delicate sandwiches, and scones served with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve, an exquisite pastry menu - delicacies offering a journey through time – includes an 'Opera Gȃteau' to die for. Book here or via 01323 412345. Stay overnight at The Grand Hotel from £220 per room per night (two sharing), including breakfast.
New York Post
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Resort-style LA home where Charlie Chaplin once stored his fire truck collection asks $12.5M
Once a parking spot for Charlie Chaplin's fire trucks — yes, fire trucks — this Santa Monica, California hideaway is ready for its next act. Listed for $12.5 million — the home has been completely transformed from silent film-era storage space to tropical-meets-modernist sanctuary, according to Tucked behind what are described in the listing as 'repurposed 500-year-old monastery gates,' the roughly 0.3-acre estate sits discreetly behind an 'innocuous wall,' concealing an 8,000-square-foot residence that blends organic materials with a serene Balinese design sensibility. 25 A historic Santa Monica property, once owned by silent film legend Charlie Chaplin and later transformed by abstract expressionist painter Sam Francis into a vibrant artist hub, is now on the market for $12.5 million. Anthony Barcelo 25 The home is listing for the first time in a decade. Anthony Barcelo 25 Originally Chaplin's garage for his fire truck collection, the 0.3-acre estate was reimagined by architect Christopher Sorensen after a 2007 fire destroyed much of Francis' studio compound. Anthony Barcelo 25 Completed in 2011, the 8,000-square-foot home blends Balinese aesthetics with organic materials like teak and limestone. Anthony Barcelo 25 Charlie Chaplin. Getty Images The site's first act dates back nearly a century, when Chaplin reportedly used the original structure as a garage to house his collection of antique fire trucks, according to a press release. In the decades that followed, the home took on a second life as a creative refuge for abstract expressionist painter Sam Francis. He converted the property into a studio compound, where he lived and played host to a rotating cast of Los Angeles art world luminaries. 25 The home is guarded by 500-year-old repurposed monastery gates. Anthony Barcelo 25 Another view of the monastery gates. Anthony Barcelo 25 The foyer. Anthony Barcelo 25 A living space flows into the kitchen. Anthony Barcelo 25 A living room that leads to the pool. Anthony Barcelo Regular guests included Ed Ruscha, Ed Moses, Larry Bell and Ken Price. That chapter came to a fiery end in 2007, when a blaze destroyed much of the original residence Francis had crafted. Four years later, a new home — designed by architect Christopher Sorensen — rose from the ashes, with a focus on natural textures and tranquility. 25 An office. Anthony Barcelo 25 The kitchen. Anthony Barcelo 25 The kitchen flows into a breakfast space and the outdoors. Anthony Barcelo 25 A dining room. Anthony Barcelo 25 One of five bedrooms. Anthony Barcelo Sorensen's design incorporates old-world details — like centuries-old teak flooring — while embracing a modern, spa-like aesthetic meant to evoke a 'calming' atmosphere. The five-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom layout includes a flexible floor plan with the option to add more bedrooms. The primary suite features an expansive walk-in closet that doubles as a lounging area, as well as a kitchenette. Bathrooms throughout the home feature hand-carved Indonesian stone tubs and sinks, further contributing to the immersive, organic style. 25 A second bedroom. Anthony Barcelo 25 A sprawling walk-in closet. Anthony Barcelo 25 A third bedrom. Anthony Barcelo 25 The fourth bedroom. Anthony Barcelo 25 A fifth bedroom. Anthony Barcelo Outdoors, a lounge and dining pavilion flanks the swimming pool and can be accessed through bulletproof glass doors off the kitchen. The property also includes a three-car garage, a nod — perhaps unintentional — to its earliest fire-truck roots. Environmentally conscious buyers may appreciate the home's solar setup, which includes battery packs capable of delivering 'several weeks of off-grid power.' The listing marks the property's first public appearance in a decade. Frank Langen and Lili Geller of Compass hold the listing. 25 One of 4.5 bathrooms. Anthony Barcelo 25 A second bathroom. Anthony Barcelo 25 The pool. Anthony Barcelo 25 The spa. Anthony Barcelo 25 The outdoor space. Anthony Barcelo Meanwhile, Francis, a prominent California painter, gained international recognition with his works displayed at prestigious institutions like MoMA, the Pompidou Centre and Tokyo's Idemitsu Museum. His artistic journey began during recovery from a severe WWII injury, where he found solace and purpose in painting while confined in a full-body cast.
