to come to Europe with his parents for a visit. In addition to its condemnation of HUAC's methods, the film takes witty potshots at American commercialism, popular music, celebrity culture, and film. A dinner party scene includes a number of satirical portrayals of actors and public figures of the period, including Sophie Tucker. Cast Charlie Chaplin as King Shahdov Maxine Audley as Queen Irene Jerry Desmonde as Prime Minister Voudel Oliver Johnston as Ambassador Jaume Dawn Addams as Ann Kay - TV Specialist Sid James as Johnson - TV Advertiser (billed as Sidney James) Joan Ingram as Mona Cromwell - Hostess Michael Chaplin as Rupert Macabee John McLaren as Macabee Senior Phil Brown as Headmaster Harry Green as Lawyer Robert Arden as Liftboy Alan Gifford as School Superintendent Robert Cawdron as U.S. Marshal George Woodbridge, Clifford Buckton, and Vincent Lawson as Members of Atomic Commission Shani Wallis as Cabaret Singer Joy Nichols Lauri Lupino Lane George Truzzi Frazer Hines (uncredited) Reception The film did well in Europe, but its lack of U.S. distribution severely hampered its commercial impact. The film divides opinion over its merits. Variety called it a "tepid disappointment" and a "half-hearted comedy with sour political undertones" with some "spasmodically funny scenes". The film ranked 1st on Cahiers du Cinéma's Top 10 Films of the Year List in 1957. The film has a "fresh" rating of 80% on the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 10 reviews. Chaplin biographer Jeffrey Vance, writing in 2003, believes A King in New York to be an important film within Chaplin's body of work. He concludes his lengthy examination of the film with the statement, "Although A King in New York targets the social and political climate of the 1950s, its satiric commentary is timeless. Despite its flaws, the film remains a fascinating study of life in America through the eyes of its most famous exile". The film was eventually released in the United States in March 1972, opening at the Little Art theatre in Yellow Springs, Ohio. It was then shown at UCLA in November 1973 and then opened at the Playboy theatre in New York on December 19, 1973. References External links 1957 films 1957 comedy films British comedy films British satirical films British political satire films British black-and-white films British films set in New York City Films directed by Charlie Chaplin McCarthyism 1950s English-language films 1950s British films