Monsieur Verdoux

film by Chaplin [1947]

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June 30, 2026

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Monsieur Verdoux is a 1947 film directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin. The film is a dark comedy that tells the story of a man who murders wealthy widows for their money. Chaplin's character, Henri Verdoux, is a former bank clerk who loses his job and resorts to bigamy and murder to support his family. The film was controversial at the time of its release due to its subject matter and Chaplin's departure from his more typical Tramp character. Despite initial mixed reviews, Monsieur Verdoux is now considered a significant work in Chaplin's filmography, showcasing his willingness to explore more complex and morally ambiguous themes.1

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- Charlie Chaplin
  The sound era: City Lights to Limelight
  ) Monsieur Verdoux was an utter failure commercially upon its release—his first since A Woman of Paris 24 years earlier—and critical opinion was divided, although Chaplin’s screenplay was nominated for an Oscar. It is still difficult to determine whether Monsieur Verdoux would have been better received…
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  ) Monsieur Verdoux was an utter failure commercially upon its release—his first since A Woman of Paris 24 years earlier—and critical opinion was divided, although Chaplin’s screenplay was nominated for an Oscar. It is still difficult to determine whether Monsieur Verdoux would have been better received…
  Read More