Chaplin's "A Night Out"

2007-04-21 21:27:24

“A Night Out” (1915, USA, Chaplin)

Chaplin may have been the highest paid movie actor but these dozens of early works are only a collection of bits and pieces that would mature into full bloom in later feature length films. “A Night Out” has some of these brilliant flashes Chaplin shines along the way. This is another short where Chaplin is a drunk wavering between innocent boob and drunk jerk. Chaplin’s character is growing more aware of playing to the camera in addition to off the other actors. He leans on the water line of a fountain (only to fall through) and falls backwards down the aisle of some public transpo, as if falling into the middle of the screen.
Chaplin spends half his time against a rich, snobby but civilized guy and a bouncer type oaf. These are also the halves of the film and the second half definitely sags after the first. Chaplin tipping his hat from the back while his ‘enemy’ tips his from the front, lap-purse snatching, spontaneous pie-ing and more!

Click here to see the movie related to this post