Special Topics in Media

Film Listology: #99 - The Great Dictator

November 14, 2023 Garret Castleberry Season 8 Episode 12
Film Listology: #99 - The Great Dictator
Special Topics in Media
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Special Topics in Media
Film Listology: #99 - The Great Dictator
Nov 14, 2023 Season 8 Episode 12
Garret Castleberry

As our Film Listology season drops into the nineties, Scott and Garret examine The Great Dictator from 1940.  Falling in familiarity to many, The Great Dictator  wisely uses comedy (and tragedy) to spotlight and critique rising fascism in early twentieth century Europe. Charlie Chaplin writes, produces, and directs this satirical story of mistaken identity, brandishing his patented broom mustache and embodying a parodic variation of Adolph Hitler. The film exhibits iconoclast status in film history, but does it maintain its cultural significance in the age of instant gratification?   

Hosts: Garret Castleberry, Scott McMurry

Producers: Garret Castleberry, Will McMurry (Audio Engineer), Alli Garner (Cover Art), Austin Foster (Music)

Recommended readings paired with our Film Listology season:
Rick Altman. Film/Genre. British Film Institute, 1999.

Jim Collins, Ada Preacher Collins, Hilary Radner (Eds.). Film Theory Goes to the Movies, 1st Edition. New York: Routledge, 1992.

Ways to Connect with us online:
Follow and engage with Special Topics in Media on Twitter at @podcast_topics.

"Like" to follow our Special Topics in Media Page on Facebook (search Special Topics in Media).

Join the Special Topics in Media Facebook Group and share your reviews of the film or this episode.

Subscribe to Dr. Castleberry's academic YouTube Channel.

Garret's academic website is available at https://garretcastleberry.academia.edu/.   

Show Notes

As our Film Listology season drops into the nineties, Scott and Garret examine The Great Dictator from 1940.  Falling in familiarity to many, The Great Dictator  wisely uses comedy (and tragedy) to spotlight and critique rising fascism in early twentieth century Europe. Charlie Chaplin writes, produces, and directs this satirical story of mistaken identity, brandishing his patented broom mustache and embodying a parodic variation of Adolph Hitler. The film exhibits iconoclast status in film history, but does it maintain its cultural significance in the age of instant gratification?   

Hosts: Garret Castleberry, Scott McMurry

Producers: Garret Castleberry, Will McMurry (Audio Engineer), Alli Garner (Cover Art), Austin Foster (Music)

Recommended readings paired with our Film Listology season:
Rick Altman. Film/Genre. British Film Institute, 1999.

Jim Collins, Ada Preacher Collins, Hilary Radner (Eds.). Film Theory Goes to the Movies, 1st Edition. New York: Routledge, 1992.

Ways to Connect with us online:
Follow and engage with Special Topics in Media on Twitter at @podcast_topics.

"Like" to follow our Special Topics in Media Page on Facebook (search Special Topics in Media).

Join the Special Topics in Media Facebook Group and share your reviews of the film or this episode.

Subscribe to Dr. Castleberry's academic YouTube Channel.

Garret's academic website is available at https://garretcastleberry.academia.edu/.