Film 10: The Circus (1928)

Netflix Summary: Charlie Chaplin once again dons the tattered threads of his iconic alter ego in this underrated effort. Desperate to elude the police who have mistaken him for a notorious pickpocket, the bumbling vagabond joins the ranks of a traveling circus. While posing as a big top performer, the Tramp falls head over heels for an equestrienne (Merna Kennedy) who just so happens to be the daughter of the circus's no-nonsense ringmaster (Al Ernest Garcia).
Wikipedia: The Circus was written by Chaplin and Joseph Plunkett (prologue, uncredited) and directed by Chaplin. It became the 7th highest grossing silent film in cinema history taking in more than $3.8 million dollars in 1928.  The production of the film was the most difficult experience in Chaplin's career. Numerous problems and delays occurred, including a studio fire, the death of Chaplin's mother, as well as Chaplin's bitter divorce from his second wife Lita Grey, and the Internal Revenue Service's claims of Chaplin's owed back taxes, all of which culminated in filming being stalled for eight months.  It was nominated for the four Academy Awards all for Charlie Chaplin but the Academy took Chaplin out of the running for competitive awards by giving him a Special Award. The Academy no longer lists his nominations for in their official list of nominees, although most unofficial lists of nominations do include him.

The Circus is often considered Chaplin's most underrated film.  

Film Viewing Date: 4/21