The Property Man (1914)

Charlie has trouble with actors' luggage and conflicts over who gets the star's dressing room. There are further difficulties with frequent scene changes, wrong entries and a fireman's hose... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Chaplin

Stars:

Charles Chaplin, Phyllis Allen, Charles Bennett

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Charles Chaplin	...	The Property Man
Phyllis Allen	...	Lena Fat
Charles Bennett	...	George Ham, Lena's Husband
Jess Dandy	...	Garlico the Strong Man / Man in Audience
Alice Davenport	...	Actress
Vivian Edwards	...	Goo Goo Sister
Cecile Arnold	...	Goo Goo Sister
Norma Nichols	...	Vaudeville Artist
Joe Bordeaux	...	Old Actor

Storyline

Charlie has trouble with actors' luggage and conflicts over who gets the star's dressing room. There are further difficulties with frequent scene changes, wrong entries and a fireman's hose. At one point he juggles an athlete's supposed weights. The humor is still rough: he kicks an older assistant in the face and allows him to be run over by a truck.

---

Plot Keywords:

public domain

---

Taglines:

SYNCHRONIZED WITH SOUND EFFECTS and MUSIC

---

Genres:

Comedy | Short

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 1914 (USA)

Also Known As:

Charlie on the Boards

Company Credits

Production Co:

Keystone Film Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

28 min 28 min 21 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Zodiac (2007)

User Reviews

Not Chaplins Best

This film is not Chaplin's best. In fact, this Keystone production lacks the depth & heart & sympathy which Charlie's Little Tramp would evolve too. This is not surprising when you consider this is still early in Charlies career.

The film is built around slap stick. That is because Mack Sennett was actually working with Charlie at this point & Mack's trademark slap stick comedy is evident. Charlie is obviously still learning the film making craft here. He is evolving towards the classic character he would reach in a few short years of making comedy shorts.

While not Chaplins best, the film does get some laughs with some scenes like the beer spilled in Charlies pants, Charlie ogles the show girls, Charlie shows up the strong man, etc. The punching & abusing the old stage hand man is a little extreme but it is quite obvious that the makeup is hiding the fact the guy is younger than he looks. Look for the Mack Sennett signs back stage. They include "Actors- Do Not Pose In Front of Your Posters" & "If You Act Is Rotten, Do Not Take It Out On The Props".

This films tells you that Chaplin studied Sennett in this period & within a short time moved beyond his type of slap stick.