A Burlesque on Carmen (1915)

A gypsy seductress is sent to sway a goofy officer to allow a smuggling run.

Director:

Charles Chaplin

Writer:

Prosper Mérimée (novel)

Stars:

Edna Purviance, Jack Henderson, Leo White

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Edna Purviance	...	Carmen
Jack Henderson	...	Lillas Pastia
Leo White	...	Morales, Officer of the Guard
John Rand	...	Escamillo the Toreador
May White	...	Frasquita
Bud Jamison	...	Soldier of the Guard
Lawrence A. Bowes	...	Gypsy
Frank J. Coleman	...	Soldier

Storyline

This is the original two-reel parody of Bizet's Carmen by Chaplin. Darn Hosiery, a Spanish officer, is seduced by the gypsy girl Carmen, leading to disgrace and downfall.

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Plot Keywords:

gypsy | public domain | based on novel | character name in title

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Genres:

Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 December 1915 (USA)

Also Known As:

Charlie Chaplin's Burlesque on Carmen

Company Credits

Production Co:

Essanay Film Manufacturing Company, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min 37 min

Sound Mix:

Silent

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

Charles Chaplin released this two reel comedy in 1915, shortly before leaving Essanay. That studio then padded the film with two more reels of non-Chaplin material and re-released it as a four-reel film in 1916.

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Connections

Version of Carmen, Baby (1967)

User Reviews

Last of the Essanay Films

At the end of 1915, Charles Chaplin came to the end of his contract with Essanay Films, and sent his brother, Sidney Chaplin, out shopping for another contract with Mutual Films. His shopping spree was fruitful, and Chaplin was able to sign up with Mutual Films by the end of the year.

'Carmen' was Chaplin's last film with Essanay.