8- `Chaplin and the Music Hall Tradition.' Or, Chaplin and his imitators. This sections opens with 1915's `A Night in the Show,' with Charlie playing two roles - Mr. Pest and Mr. Rowdy - whose names ought to clue you in to what kind of (inebriated) theater goers they are. One is tuxedoed and sits in a box seat, one is shabbily dressed and sits way back up in the cheap seats. One of the more curious shorts in this set is 1918's `He's in Again,' with Billy West - who looks and dresses just like Chaplin - as an out-at-the-heels bar customer. West was the most successful of Chaplin imitators, and, if nothing else, this short gives you a direct example of the difference between competence and genius.
The Chaplin program begins with A Night in the Show (1915) with Charles Chaplin. Chaplin plays Mr. Pest and Mr. Rowdy in this elaboration of his famous drunken vaudeville routine. From a very-good 35mm print that is missing its main titles. Identical presentation to the film’s appearance on the Essanay films DVD. Small orchestra music by Robert Israel.
[A Rare Chaplin Snippet] (1916) with Charles Chaplin. Chaplin conducts a small band in this improvised film that has been tentatively identified as shot during a benefit appearance at New York’s Hippodrome Theatre in February 1916. From a good 16mm print. Small orchestra music by Robert Israel.
The Rink (1916) with Charles Chaplin. Charlie is a waiter that disrupts a skating rink and wins the girl from Mr. Stout (Eric Campbell). From an excellent 35mm print. The windowboxed presentation is identical to that available on the Mutual series DVD. Synthesizer music by Michael Mortilla.
Live Wires and Love Sparks (1916) with Billie Ritchie. Bill (Ritchie) is a lay-about who avoids the bill collectors and attempts to woo a neighbor’s wife at a masked ball. From a good to very-good 35mm print, with new intertitles, that is missing its main title and ending footage. Synthesizer music by Brian Benison.
He’s in Again (1918) with Billy West and Oliver Hardy. A penniless tramp (West) works off his restaurant bill. The straw-hatted wolf/boxer is ex-Chaplin cast member Leo White. From an excellent 35mm print. Synthesizer music by Brian Benison.
Pie-Eyed (1925) with Stan Laurel. A drunk (Laurel) disrupts a dinner club restaurant, then ends up inthe wrong apartment. From a 35mm reconstruction print with new intertitles and that is without a main title, that is comprised of a number of very-good to excellent 35mm and 16mm elements. Small orchestra music by Robert Israel.
Only Me (1929) with Lupino Lane. A drunk (Lane) attends a vaudeville show. Lane plays nearly all the roles. From an excellent 35mm print, with new intertitles, that is missing its main titles. Synthesizer music by Brian Benison.
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