Edna, Albert & The Ogre

Edna

"She was blond, beautiful and serious and Chaplin was instantly captivated by her."
- David Robinson

Edna Purviance was a constant presence in the work of Charles Chaplin, from his second film with Essanay, A Night Out (1915), through his last released with First National, The Pilgrim (1923). After signing with Essanay, Chaplin produced one film at their Chicago studios and fled the harsh midwestern winter for Northern California and Niles Canyon. Born and raised in western Nevada, Purviance was living in San Francisco with her married sister when Chaplin offered her a job. What Purviance lacked in formal training, she more than made up for in girlish enthusiasm and effusive charm. ‘Edna’ was the baker of cast-iron donuts in The Pawnshop (1916), the singing barmaid who could not sing in A Dog’s Life (1918), the farmer’s daughter in The Tramp (1915) and the desperate actress disguised as a boy in Behind the Screen (1916). She was his damsel in distress, his object of desire, and the perfect feminine counterpoint to ‘Charlie’s’ boyish, roughhousing mischief.

Chaplin’s astonishing popularity was due not only to his unequalled talents, but also to the brilliant ensemble he formed, which of course, included ‘Edna’. With the exception of One A.M. (1916), Purviance was included in every film. Throughout her Hollywood career she worked exclusively with Chaplin. They are second only to Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle and Mabel Normand as the most identifiable on-screen couple of the silent era.

Work (1915)

Karno’s Army

The great British musichall impresario Fred Karno toured America in 1910 and brought with him a host of talent, who would in time, surrender to the lure of American opportunity. Many performers in ‘Karno’s Army’ eventually found their way into film. Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel were among those who made that first trip. Chaplin returned to America with Karno in 1912.

As detailed in David Robinson’s definitive Chaplin biography, Chaplin, His Life and Art, the romantic myth of Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand out on a date, discovering Charlie at the American Theater on 42nd Street, may be just that. Karno’s troupe also appeared at the Empress Theater in Los Angeles. The ‘business’ of show business usually makes very dull reading.

Over time, Chaplin would rub elbows with other Karno alumni who had also entered the motion picture business. As his popularity, and ticket sales grew, Chaplin gained increasing control of film production and personnel. His choice of talent included several Karno alumni who became part of the now legendary stock company featured throughout his film career. Albert Austin and Eric Campbell are two former Karno performers remembered primarily for their work in Chaplin’s Mutual series.

Austin appeared as the foil, and frequent punching bag, for Charlie’s slapstick gags. He was first confounded then pummeled by Charlie in The Floorwalker (1916) and has his alarm clock dissected in The Pawnshop (1916). Austin was the only actor to appear in all twelve films with Chaplin.

Goliath to Chaplin’s David in Behind the Screen (1916), Campbell was the frightening antagonist in all but One A.M. (1916). Easily Chaplin’s best villain, the enormous Scotsman was killed in a traffic accident shortly after the Mutual series was finished.

Another Karno alumni, Leo White appeared in films with Chaplin throughout his career, from Keystone to Essanany, Mutual and finally in Chaplin’s first sound film, The Great Dictator (1940).

The Adventurer (1917)

Seattle Theater Group and The Paramount present, Silent Movie Mondays: The Chaplin Triple Play, September 10, 17, 24 and October 1. Musical accompaniment for the series features Dennis James on the Paramount’s original Publix 1, 4/20 Wurlitzer.