# Charlie Chaplin Vs Mr Bean **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 22, 2008, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292 "2008-12-22T10:22:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/1 "2008-12-22T10:22:01Z")
Both are sort ot slapstick humor . May be Mr Bean is portrayed as bit sefish . \*\* Which one do you like more ?? why ??\*\* ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/2 "2008-12-22T10:23:00Z")
Not going to toss in Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd while you’re at it? ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/3 "2008-12-22T10:44:06Z")
I’m in the Bean camp. A little more topical. Never could identify with Chaplin - too young I guess. Plus, Bean _does_ make some intelligible sounds which adds a little to the humor. But Rowan Atkinson can make me laugh by just doing nothing at all, just standing there with that goofy look on his face. I would like to see him knighted, or doesn’t she knight comedians? Q ---
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 10:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/4 "2008-12-22T10:51:42Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > Not going to toss in Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd while you’re at it? No ! I believe Chaplin and Bean transcend boundaries, where as other two are somewhat US centric ( and probably never attained the same fame outside of U.S). I am looking for responses from non-US dopers also. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/5 "2008-12-22T13:33:08Z")
One is a comic genius and one is Mr. Bean. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/6 "2008-12-22T13:45:54Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > One is a comic genius and one is Mr. Bean. Beat me to it. I can’t even conceive of asking that question. It’s sort of like “which is better to eat – chocolate cake or a dog turd.” And, while I agree about Lloyd, Keaton also transcends boundaries. Now, if you want to argue between him and Chaplin, that’s a reasonable question. But _Mr. Bean?_ :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/7 "2008-12-22T13:55:09Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > One is a comic genius and one is Mr. Bean. Of course, we’re dealing with an incongrous comparison to begin with. Ought to be:[ul] [li]The Little Tramp vs Mr. Bean[/li][li]Charlie Chaplin vs Rowan Atkinson[/li][/ul] Honestly, Atkinson has always made me laugh when I’ve seen his work- but I’ve seen very little of his work. In fact, I’ve never seen the Bean character except in ads for the movie(s?). So, I have little to go on to compare Chaplin and Atkinson and even less to compare the Tramp to Bean. On their own merits, though, both Chaplin the performer and the Tramp as a character rank up there with the greats of all time. Atkinson has fervent admirers, but he doesn’t touch the worldwide mass appeal that Chaplin acheived. ---
**Author:** ![Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Prelude\_to\_Fascination](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prelude_to_Fascination)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/8 "2008-12-22T14:16:03Z")
Chaplin. He was an innovator in cinematic comedy (and cinema, being one of the founders of United Artists studio), even though the Little Tramp was somewhat depressing to me (he always made me feel sorry for him). The Great Dictator is among the greatest satirical comedies of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/9 "2008-12-22T14:19:27Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > Of course, we’re dealing with an incongrous comparison to begin with. Ought to be:[ul] > [li]The Little Tramp vs Mr. Bean[/li][li]Charlie Chaplin vs Rowan Atkinson[/li][/ul] > > \ A valid point. I have only seen the Mr. Bean character, and perhaps Atkinson has some roles that would make me laugh. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/10 "2008-12-22T14:23:17Z")
Atkinson as Blackadder is hilarious. Atkinson as Mr. Bean sets my teeth on edge. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/11 "2008-12-22T14:31:33Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > A valid point. I have only seen the Mr. Bean character, and perhaps Atkinson has some roles that would make me laugh. _Blackadder_ is pure brilliance. Incidentally, the fourth series is set during the first world war, and in one episode, Edmund Blackadder is obligated to portray Charlie Chaplin’s “Little Tramp” in a skit. Blackadder _hates_ Chaplin, and every word with which he derides his work as low-brow crap which morons inexplicably hail as “genius” would later resonate deeply with many _Blackadder_ fans, when _Mr. Bean_ gained such popularity. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/12 "2008-12-22T14:33:56Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > A valid point. I have only seen the Mr. Bean character, and perhaps Atkinson has some roles that would make me laugh. He’s done a couple one-man shows in the last few decades (apparently the 70s and 80s, good lord) that were utterly brilliant. My favorite bits: [The Invisible Drum Kit](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sf_pogZ8jE) (nonverbal, but employs sound) [A Warm Welcome](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFGrQMD6Uqc) (monologue) Still, I’m not certain Atkinson can really be compared to Chaplin, simply on a popularity level, and I say that as someone who’s never really seen anything by Chaplin and loves Atkinson. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/13 "2008-12-22T15:27:15Z")
I love Mr. Bean but to me it is the least funny thing Atkinson does. His stage shows are phenomenal, his sitcom characters are great and he was pretty durn funny on Not the 9 O’Clock news. Is he ground-breaking or influential like Chaplin? No. But he is a damn fine modern homage to silent films and mime! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/14 "2008-12-22T16:08:49Z")
Though Mr. Bean is an abomination and insult to the concept of slapstick comedy, Rowan Atkinson is a first-class comic actor. One more annoying thing about Mr. Bean is that he is better known for it than for his brilliance in **Blackadder**. Atkinson is primarily a verbal comedian, and a very good one, but a third-rate slapstick comedian. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/15 "2008-12-22T20:16:53Z")
I think both are geniuses, but Rowan Atkinson is better. Having said that, we have to give credit to Charlie Chaplin for being first, and many years before Atkinson. Charlie Chaplin, for me, has a few great works: [ul] [li]City Lights[/li][li]Modern Times[/li][li]The Great Dictator[/li][/ul] Rowan Atkinson, however, has a few more: [ul] [li]His one-man show[/li][li]Seasons 2-4 of Black Adder(and the specials)[/li][li]Mr. Bean(excluding the movies, actually)[/li][/ul] I guess I’d give bonus points to Chaplin for being entirely in charge of his productions. Maybe they are even. Then again, if we’re comparing Chaplin to _ **just** _ Mr. Bean, Chaplin wins. ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/16 "2008-12-22T20:31:59Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > In fact, I’ve never seen the Bean character except in ads for the movie(s?). [Merry](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnXsJAsCpkg) [Christmas](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIbuVgafiGA). ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/17 "2008-12-22T20:38:29Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I can’t even conceive of asking that question. It’s sort of like “which is better to eat – chocolate cake or a dog turd.” Man!!! You guys are some cold Mommy-Scooters! 😉 But I do agree, there would be no Bean, had there not been a Chaplin, Lloyd or Keaton! And you know what? I bet Mr. Atkinson would be the first to agree with you as well! Again, I guess I just didn’t pay much attention to slapstick because it was silent at the beginning. But I love the Stooges! Does **that** redeem me just a little? 😉 Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/18 "2008-12-22T20:51:00Z")
> [@TWDuke](#): > > [Merry](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnXsJAsCpkg) [Christmas](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIbuVgafiGA). I watched this last night and today! The nativity scene kills me every time! It was even better this time around because I was watching it with my 4 year old niece and 2 year old nephew. Priceless! ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/19 "2008-12-22T20:52:50Z")
> [@Larry\_Mudd](#): > > _Blackadder_ is pure brilliance. > > Incidentally, the fourth series is set during the first world war, and in one episode, Edmund Blackadder is obligated to portray Charlie Chaplin’s “Little Tramp” in a skit. Blackadder _hates_ Chaplin, and every word with which he derides his work as low-brow crap which morons inexplicably hail as “genius” would later resonate deeply with many _Blackadder_ fans, when _Mr. Bean_ gained such popularity. _Blackadder Goes Forth_, [Episode 3](http://blackadder.powertie.org/transcripts/4/3/): > [@](#): > > **George:** You’re a bit cheesed off, sir? > > **Edmund:** George, the day this war began I was cheesed off. Within ten minutes of you turning up, I finished the cheese and moved on to the coffee and cigars. And at this late stage, I’m in a cab with two lady companions on my way to the Pink Pussycat in Lower Regency. > > **George:** Oh well, because if you are cheesed off, you know what would cheer you up? A lot of Charlie Chaplin films. Oh, I love Old Chappers, don’t you, Cap? > \*\* > Edmund:\*\* Unfortunately, no I don’t. I find his films about as funny as getting an arrow through the neck and discovering there’s a gas bill tied to it… It goes on from there–most hilariously for those of us who can picture the characters. I loathe _Mr Bean_ & love most of _Blackadder_. Rowan Atkinson is a master of verbal humor. And, especially in the Elizabethan series, he’s actually good looking; quite unlike Mr Bean. (Oh, and Lt. George C. St Barleigh was played by Hugh Laurie.) ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2008, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292/20 "2008-12-22T21:00:01Z")
> [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](#): > > I watched this last night and today! The nativity scene kills me every time! It was even better this time around because I was watching it with my 4 year old niece and 2 year old nephew. Priceless! I had never seen it before, and I agree: especially when the cop arrives. That thing with the turkey though: Did you see when he spread the legs to get the stuffing in? They looked like human legs to me, which gave the whole thing a kind of Fellini-esque sexual feel. Q [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charlie-chaplin-vs-mr-bean/478292.md?page=2)