Quote:Oh my...

 

I studied Chaplin in undergrad.

 

Also try:

 

Gold Rush

The Great Dictator

City Lights

 

Buster Keaton is great, too.  But to me Chaplin can masterfully transition from the spectacular physical comedy like Keaton into the powerfully subtle gestures like no one else.

 

Here's a book I recommend, as it can really add to the appreciation if you're interested.

 

The Silent Clowns http://www.amazon.com/The-Silent-Clowns-...0306803879

 

If you want to keep diving into storytelling by the master filmmakers (obviously not sticking to silents,) I'd also recommend looking into Hitchcock and Kurosawa as well.  These are just a couple of the early pioneers that had a tremendous influence on today's iconic filmmakers.

 

Kurosawa's Seven Samurai was the influence for The Magnificent Seven, as was The Hidden Fortress and inspiration for Star Wars.

 

Here's a book on Hitchcock:

http://www.amazon.com/Hitchcock-Revised-...y+truffaut

 

I'd also recommend anything on Kurosawa written by Stephen Prince.