IMDb > Behind the Screen (1916)

Behind the Screen (1916) More at IMDbPro »

Videos
Behind the Screen (1916) -- Charlie is an overworked labourer at a film studio who helps a young woman find work even while his coworkers strike against his tyrannical boss.

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   593 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 5% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Contact:
View company contact information for Behind the Screen on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
13 November 1916 (USA) more
Genre:
Plot:
Charlie is an overworked labourer at a film studio who helps a young woman find work even while his coworkers strike against his tyrannical boss. full summary | add synopsis
NewsDesk:
(46 articles)
New 'Clash of the Titans' Photo Sees Mad Perseus
 (From Aceshowbiz. 30 September 2009, 8:13 PM, PDT)

'Jennifer's Body': Girl Trouble, By Kurt Loder
 (From MTV Movie News. 18 September 2009, 6:21 AM, PDT)

User Comments:
Not one of the best Mutual shorts more (14 total)

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Eric Campbell ... Goliath (a stagehand)

Charles Chaplin ... David (Goliath's assistant)
Edna Purviance ... The girl
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
The Pride of Hollywood (USA) (alternative title)
more
Runtime:
15 min | Argentina:30 min | Germany:24 min (restored version)
Country:
Language:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Movie Connections:

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful.
Not one of the best Mutual shorts, 18 November 2004
Author: hausrathman

Charlie has various misadventures while working in the property department of a movie studio. For some reason, this film turned out to be the last of Chaplin's twelve Mutual shorts that I saw. I really looked forward to seeing it, thinking that Charlie would make the most of the studio location.

Sadly, if only because of my sense of anticipation, I was a bit disappointed. I didn't find it as funny as the bulk of the other Mutual shorts. Despite a location rich in potential, I found the funniest moments in this film to be some of the smallest – like Charlie trying to steal bites from Albert Austin's lunch. Still, the film retains interest as a behind the screen view of motion picture production circa 1916. (A superior and more concise view of the world of producing silent films can be found in 'Singing in the Rain' as Gene Kelly walks through a silent studio with the head of the studio.) To me, the most interesting thing about this film is Chaplin's hostile attitude toward the striking union workers. If he had made this film later in his career, the radical unionists might have been the good guys!

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (14 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Behind the Screen (1916)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
007 in Rio The Great Train Robbery Dough and Dynamite Sullivan's Travels The Aviator
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
News articles IMDb Comedy section IMDb USA section
Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.