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Behind the Screen Clippings 43/93

Variety, New York, November 17, 1916.

Behind the Screen Scenes

„That appears to be what Chaplin fans love“

Editorial content. „BEHIND THE SCREEN.

      The latest Charlie Chaplin release is a two-reeler that

is to be classed with one of the best laugh producers

that the world‘s champion high priced film comic has done

for the Mutual. Most of the stunts might be classed

with the earlier and most successful type of work ,pulled‘

by Chaplin. Yet not once does he have possession

of the bamboo cane nor does he wear that humpty-dumpty

derby. The action, which in no case drags, takes

place presumably on the floor of a film studio with the large

chance for fun with the numerous props. The picture

really develops into a pie slinging contest that, while completely

messy, cannot fail to spill laughs. It is a question

whether too much loose dough paste is slung about, but

still Chaplins are built for laugh producing qualities.

Charlie indulges in several new stunts. One is the barbering

of the head on a bear skin rug. He uses hair tonic,

than comb and brush after a ,head‘ massage and finishes

by wiping over the face with a towel. He plays

the character of assistant to the carpenter and when the other

stage hands quit he is compelled to work harder

than ever. A trap door is plentifully worked, with Chaplin

on the operating end and it runs a close second

to the pie heaving for laugh getting. Of course its all ,hokum,‘

but that appears to be what Chaplin fans love. For

some reason the cameramen in the picture are disguised

with long beards. Perhaps that was done to evade

using make-up.“

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