Chaplin at Essanay (11/12/22)

His New Job (1915); By the Sea (1915); The Bank (1915); Police (1916) 

Four Charlie Chaplin films at Essanay Studios 

What is Essanay, you ask? (Kudos to Steve Massa.) In 1907, George K. Spoor and Gilbert Anderson were the “S” and “A” of Essanay. 

Oddly, His New Job was Chaplin’s first job at Essanay. He was experimenting with his ‘Tramp’ character. He was a wannabe actor being hired for his first film role. 

By the Sea showed Chaplin in an outdoor setting (in California, as opposed to filming in Chicago for His New Job.) The open air of California added a lot of comedy. 

The Bank offered a few more slapstick offerings—including figuring out the combinations and machinations of the vault inside the bank. There was some funny stuff there, more than once. 

Police adds a bit of intrigue. Instead of just regular slapstick, a little bit of subterfuge is added in. 

This was an interesting look at Chaplin’s growth of his Little Tramp character. Not just as he changed, but as he grew the characterization. There was plenty of humor and slapstick but growth, as well.

As always, Ben Model provided pitch-perfect improvised piano scores to all four films. As added commentary from the stage by Steve Massa, Gloria Swanson was in the background of the first film shown. Apparently, Miss Swanson denied ever being in a Charlie Chaplin film. You decide.

ConcertMeister