Charlie Chaplin gets ready to kick some German butt in "Shoulder Arms"

OK, I have a new favorite Charlie Chaplin movie. Move over Modern Times and say hello to Shoulder Arms. The flooded bunkhouse being my favorite sequence in this movie along with the Looney Tunes-style chase thru the forest with Chaplin dressed up as a tree.

The movie takes place during WWI, with the Americans and the Germans stuck in the midst of trench warfare. Neither side is making any progress, until the clumsy private Chaplin appears. After capturing thirteen German soldiers from an opposing trench by single-handedly, “surrounding them,” Chaplin volunteers for a mission which he may never return from.

Dressed up as a weathered tree stump, he sets about infiltrating enemy territory but is put on the run by a trio of German soldiers, one who bears a striking resemblance to Zach Galifianakis. Hidhing out in a bombed out French house, Chaplin then meets a young woman, who tends to his wounded hand. Zach Galifi–, I mean, the German soldier catches up to them and arrests her for assisting the Allies.

Chaplin then comes to her rescue and with the young lady’s help, eventually captures the top brass. I won’t say how, you’ll have to watch the movie to see for yourself.

On a side note, it’s kind of refreshing to have today’s viewing out of the way. Now, off to run some errands and then it’s over to Little Tokyo for Day 2 of Nisei Week celebrations. Today is the Nebuta Festival Parade and will publicly introduce the new 2010 Nisei Queen, Lani Nishiyama, and her Court!! You can read the full recap of last night’s coronation here!!

Lani Nishiyama is crowned the 2010 Nisei Queen!!