The Mutuals - 51, 52, 53

Monday September 10, 7:00 pm, The Paramount Theater

The Floorwalker (1916)

The first of twelve films Charles Chaplin produced for the Mutual Film Corporation, The Floorwalker(1916) might have been titled The Escalator, which is the focal point and primary source of the film’s humor. Chaplin developed the idea after visiting department stores in New York and worked out the details while filming. Much of this process can be understood by viewing Chaplin’s outtakes featured in Unknown Chaplin, the remarkable documentary produced by Kevin Brownlow and David Gill in 1983.

Charlie wanders into a store and amuses himself while a clerk (Albert Austin) observes. The floorwalker (who bears a striking resemblance to Charlie) and store manager (Eric Campbell) attempt to embezzle a suitcase filled with cash while their startled secretary (Edna Purviance) observes. Identities are confused and the floorwalker (dressed in Charlie’s cloths) is arrested by the store detective, while the manager struggles with Charlie, and the escalator, to retrieve the suitcase.

The Fireman (1916)

Referring to Chaplin’s Mutual films and The Fireman, in his book American Silent Film, William K. Everson explains, "The weakest of them, the purely slapstick entries, such as The Fireman, are still superior to the best of the Keystones and Essanays; and the best of them (The Immigrant, Easy Street, The Rink) could stand with his best work from any period."

The Fireman relies entirely upon the physical brutality found in those earlier films for much of its humor. Charlie suffers the indignities of his fellow firemen and flirts with the chief’s (Eric Campbell) sweetheart (Edna Purviance). She visits the station with her father who tells the chief, "Let my house burn. I’ll get the insurance and you can wed my daughter." Of course, it goes wrong, there is "An honest fire," and Charlie rescues Edna from her burning house while the other firemen are occupied in truest Keystone fashion.

The Vagabond (1916)

A clear departure from his work with Keystone and Essanany, Charles Chaplin’s third production for Mutual Film Corporation, The Vagabond (1916) demonstrates a turn toward the more complex story development and balanced content found in early features such as, A Dog’s Life (1918) and The Kid (1921).

A saloon violinist (Chaplin) plays outside a small establishment, then solicits the patrons who mistake him for a member of the band also playing. He flees the ensuing altercation and discovers a waif, The Gypsy Drudge (Edna Purviance), held captive by cruel gypsies on a country road. He plays for her until the Chief (Eric Campbell) appears and beats them both. Charlie rescues the girl who is later discovered by a travelling artist. When her portrait is seen my her mother in a gallery the girl is rescued. Charlie is left alone, but the girl realizes her true love and returns for him.

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 will be performed by Dennis James on the Paramount’s original Publix 1, 4/20 Wurlitzer.