Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914)

Director:

Mack Sennett

Writers:

Hampton Del Ruth (writer)
Mack Sennett (writer)

Release Date:

21 December 1914 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

in SOUND and MUSIC

Plot:

Charlie talks wealthy farmer's daughter Tillie into eloping with him (and taking her father's money)...

Plot Keywords:

Millionaire | Revenge | Inheritance | Marriage | Keystone Kops

Cast

Charles Chaplin	...	Charlie, City Slicker
Marie Dressler	...	Tillie Banks, Country Girl
Mabel Normand	...	Mabel, Charlie's Girl Friend
Mack Swain	...	John Banks, Tillie's Father
Charles Bennett	...	Douglas Banks, Tillie's Millionaire Uncle / Mortgage Holder / Maitre D'
Chester Conklin	...	Mr. Whoozis, Friend of Douglas Banks

Also Known As:

For the Love of Tillie
Marie's Millions
Tillie's Big Romance
Tillie's Nightmare

Runtime:

73 min | 82 min (2003 restoration)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Australia:G | Spain:T | Argentina:Atp | Finland:(Banned) (1920)

Company:

Keystone Film Company

Trivia:

Milton Berle claimed to have played the bit part of the newsboy who gets slapped in the face and kicked by Charles Chaplin. He later confronted Chaplin about having played the role, but Chaplin (nor anyone else, it seems) could recall for certain whether or not it was indeed Berle. Most researchers believe the role to have been played by Gordon Griffith, Keystone's house child actor. However, there are still others who claim that the boy does not resemble Griffith, and could therefore possibly be Berle. There really is no definitive way of obtaining an answer unless some sort of original studio records turn up, so in the meantime this can be considered speculation at best.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin (2003)

An Antique Gem With Many Facets

I just watched this film for my first time on Turner Classic Movies. Unfortunately, the version I saw was several minutes shorter than 73 min.--so I'm not sure what I missed. Hopefully there was a scene near the finish so the ending wouldn't have seemed so abrupt. I rated the film an '8' anyway. In a showcase for vintage comedic movie acting, director Mack Sennett lets two comedic giants shine. Marie Dressler is tubs of fun in the title role. Strong as Popeye yet more clumsy than Kramer, Dressler is a walking disaster who, thankfully, has Lady Luck to guide her. Her performance seemed a bit Vaudeville at first but she quickly grew on me. By the time she danced drunk I was completely won over. An underdog with a heart of gold who can take care of herself, thank you. Mabel Normand also registers strongly in her nameless role. Though at 20 she was the youngest of the star trio, Normand was the film veteran of the group. It shows in her ease and manner and still modern screen personna. She knew a little could go a long way. Chaplin seemed miscast. I kept thinking a more handsome cad (Wallace Reid?) could have been funnier. Still... He's Chaplin.