Limelight

Limelight is a 1952 movie starring Charlie Chaplin as a washed-up comedian who strikes up an unlikely friendship that changes his life. It's 1914 and Calvero (Charlie Chaplin) has long since left behind his days as a celebrated music hall comedian; he now spends his nights drinking instead of entertaining crowds. Stumbling home from the bar one night, Calvero smells gas outside his building and discovers that Terry (Claire Bloom), who lives in a ground-floor apartment, is trying to kill herself. Calvero saves Terry and keeps watch over her in his apartment. Like him, Terry is a failed performer; an injury prevents her from returning to her career as a ballerina. Inspired by each other, Calvero and Terry work to overcome the obstacles of age, illness, and bad luck and dream of returning to their one true love: the stage. With a nostalgic tone and a bittersweet ending featuring a cameo by Buster Keaton, Limelight is beloved by Chaplin devotees and fans of early cinema.moreless