New Chaplin Film

So, just saw a piece in yesterday's paper about how they've found a previously unknown bit of film with Charlie Chaplin, the greatest of all silent movie stars, and probably the greatest of all film comedians. What's more, it may be his first ever appearance in a movie (if not, then the second earliest) wearing the mustache and using the mannerisms of his familiar 'little tramp' character.

Basically, a few months back a film buff bought an old reel at an antique show in Michigan -- a typical Keystone Kops ten-minute short. When he got around to watching it, he was shocked to see someone who looked like Chaplin in a scene. Closer examination reveals it is indeed Charlie C., doing a typical routine. Called A THIEF CATCHER, it was filmed in January 1914 and released the following month. The rediscovered piece debuts at the Slapstick film festival in Rosslyn, Virginia on July 17th; I'll look forward to its eventual release.

Here's the story:

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/movies/96987864.html

--John R.

Charlie Chaplin at the Paramount

So, every year about this time the Paramount Theater in downtown Seattle hosts a month of silent movie nights, accompanied by live virtuoso organ music, just as they were first presented the better part of a century ago. We've only been able to make it to two or three of these performances over the years, unfortunately, but for those who might be interested this year's line-up couldn't be bettered. They're showing three Charlie Chaplin shorts each night, and they've chosen them from the twelve he made just when he gained full creative control over every aspect of his filmmaking. Each is about twenty minutes long and features an ensemble cast, so that the same actors re-appear in different roles in each film. I've seen seven of these twelve, and the best of them rank right up there with CITY LIGHTS and THE GOLD RUSH: silent film comedy just doesn't get any better, and they can still give post-silent film competition a run for the money.

Here's the schedule; if someone does make it, drop me a line and let me know how you liked them.

Sept 10th (obviously, these are already past, but I include it for the sake of completeness)
THE FLOORWALKER
THE FIREMAN
THE VAGABOND

Sept 17th
ONE A.M.
THE COUNT
THE PAWNSHOP

Sept 24th
BEHIND THE SCREEN
THE RINK
EASY STREET

Oct. 1st
THE CURE
THE IMMIGRANT
THE ADVENTURER

--if you only get to one of these, I'd recommend the Oct. 1st showing.* THE CURE has Charlie as an inebriated dandy going to a health spa to dry out; hilarity ensue as his presence makes things spiral out of control. A short clip from this film made its way into Michael Moore SICKO. THE IMMIGRANT, the only one of these to fully feature 'the little tramp' character, mixes pathos with slapstick in CC's characteristic manner; still moving, AND funny, today. THE ADVENTURER features Charlie as an escaped con trying to blend into a party; it has the least plot but plenty of manic energy.
Enjoy!
--John R.


*although ONE A.M., which is entirely a solo performance after the opening sequence, is an almost plotless tour-de-force that has never really been equaled as an example of the intransigence of inanimate objects and the inexorable move from order to chaos.