I find it so curious that people are hung up on pointing out the unrealistic aspects of this film. It was 1910, for Heaven's sake--it was never intended to reflect reality; it was intended to make people laugh. That one reviewer noted the building Linder scales with the bathtub on his back is obviously horizontal and painted is funny in itself since how many people do you know who can scale a building with a bathtub on your back?!?
While we might not be able to appreciate the humour of this film as much as an audience would have on its initial run, it remains a pleasant and very memorable short. Linder exhibits quite beautifully the kind of panache that made him the superstar Chaplin appreciated so much. If you've seen many comedies from this period, you will notice he doesn't mug as much others do, or even as much as he does in some of his other films. There is always dignity in Linder's character and it is that dignity that endures him to us today. He isn't just a clown; he's a man with issues to be resolved. Like how to take a bath without a tap in your apartment.
If you're not looking for its 'obvious' shortcomings, watching Max Takes a Bath is certainly a fine way to spend a mere ten minutes.
While we might not be able to appreciate the humour of this film as much as an audience would have on its initial run, it remains a pleasant and very memorable short. Linder exhibits quite beautifully the kind of panache that made him the superstar Chaplin appreciated so much. If you've seen many comedies from this period, you will notice he doesn't mug as much others do, or even as much as he does in some of his other films. There is always dignity in Linder's character and it is that dignity that endures him to us today. He isn't just a clown; he's a man with issues to be resolved. Like how to take a bath without a tap in your apartment.
If you're not looking for its 'obvious' shortcomings, watching Max Takes a Bath is certainly a fine way to spend a mere ten minutes.
Tell Your Friends