The Masquerader (I) (1914)

Charlie is an actor in a film studio. He messes up several scenes and is tossed out. Returning dressed as a lady, he charms the director. Even so, Charlie never makes it into film, winding up at the bottom of a well.

Writer:

Charles Chaplin

Stars:

Charles Chaplin, Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle, Chester Conklin

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charles Chaplin	...	Film Actor / Beautiful Stranger
Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle	...	Film Actor
Chester Conklin	...	Film Actor
Charles Murray	...	Film Director
Jess Dandy	...	Actor / Villain
Minta Durfee	...	Leading Lady

Storyline

Charlie is an actor in a film studio. He messes up several scenes and is tossed out. Returning dressed as a lady, he charms the director. Even so, Charlie never makes it into film, winding up at the bottom of a well.

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Plot Keywords:

beer | costume | actor

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Genres:

Short | Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 August 1914 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Female Impersonator

Company Credits

Production Co:

Keystone Film Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

9 min 9 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into When Comedy Was King (1960)

User Reviews

Uneven, But Interesting & Generally Amusing Short Comedy

This is an interesting little short comedy that, while rather uneven, is generally amusing. It's mostly remembered for Chaplin disguising himself as a woman, in an attempt to get into a movie studio. The idea of a man masquerading as a woman, or vice versa, was relatively common in the old silent comedies - this is one of the more believable efforts, as Charlie's disguise is credible enough to make that part of the movie work all right. But that's not necessarily the best or even the most interesting part of the film.

The setting in a movie studio is interesting in itself, offering a chance for some good-natured self-parody, and they got reasonable mileage out of the idea. Perhaps the best-crafted scene occurs very early on, when Chaplin and 'Fatty' Arbuckle have a battle of wits in the dressing room. It's no coincidence that it is the one scene in the picture in which Chaplin performs with another highly talented comedian, as the smooth timing and careful movement make it stand out from the more disjointed, frantic pace of most of the rest of the movie. But even as a whole, the movie works all right, despite its lack of refinement. It's hardly one of Chaplin's top efforts, but still entertaining and worth seeing.