Fireman, The; Property Man, The

1099. THE FIREMAN AND THE PROPERTY MAN. A PAIR Of TWO-REELERS BY THE ONE AND ONLY CHARLIE.
1. THE FIREMAN (1916-USA). WITH CHARLES CHAPLIN, ERIC CAMPBELL, EDNA PURVIANCE. WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY CHARLES CHAPLIN. A FIREMAN’S LOT IS NOT A HAPPY ONE WHEN CHARLIE FAILS TO PLEASE THE BULLYING FIRE CHIEF. EACH TIME THE CHIEF KICKS CHARLIE IN THE SEAT Of HIS BAGGY PANTS, THE LITTLE MAN STANDS TO ATTENTION AND SALUTES. WHAT CHANCE DOES CHARLIE HAVE TO WIN THE HEART Of A LOVELY MAIDEN! HER FATHER SCHEMES TO OfFER HER TO THE CHIEF IF HE WILL ALLOW HIS HOME TO BUM DOWN IN ORDER TO COLLECT INSURANCE MONEY! WELL, CHARLIE MAY BE AN UNDERDOG, BUT HE MANAGES TO BECOME A HERO AND WIN THE HEART Of HIS SECRET FLAME! CHAPLIN MADE WONDERFUL USE Of PROPS IN THIS FILM, HIS SECOND PRODUCTION FOR THE MUTUAL COMPANY. ONLY HIS COMIC GENIUS COULD TURN A HORSE-DRAWN FIRE ENGINE INTO A GIANT COfFEE PERCOLATOR!
2. THE PROPERTY MAN (GETTING HIS GOAT, THE ROUSTABOUT) (1914-USA). WITH CHARLES CHAPLIN, MACK SENNETT. WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY CHARLES CHAPLIN. THE COMIC ACTION IS NONSTOP BACKSTAGE AT A VAUDEVILLE THEATER. CHARLIE PLAYS A BLUNDERING STAGEHAND WHO BURIES A FRAIL OLD MAN UNDER A HEAVY TRUNK, POURS A PITCHER Of BEER DOWN HIS OWN BAGGY TROUSERS (IN FRONT Of TWO PRETTY DANCING GIRLS), AND MAKES THE MISTAKE Of ASSIGNING THE STAR DRESSING ROOM TO A COUPLE Of UNBILLED TRAGEDIANS. IN WALKS THE STRONGMAN AND HIS BRIDE AND TROUBLE STARTS/ CHARLIE WRECKS THE STRONGMAN’S TIGHTS SO THAT THE WEIGHT LIFTER HAS TO GO ON STAGE WITH BOXER SHORTS SHOWING BENEATH^ HIS TARZAN COSTUME. AND THAT’S ONLY THE START Of AN HILARIOUS SHOW THAT ENDS WITH CHARLIE HOSING DOWN THE ACTORS AND THE NUTTY GROUP Of FOLKS THAT FORM THE AUDIENCE! THE PROPERTY MAN FEATURES MANY Of THE UNREFINED COMIC BUSINESS IN THE EARLY KEYSTONE SHORTS THAT LATER DEVELOPED INTO CLASSIC CHAPLIN GAGS. SILENT FILMS WITH MUSIC SCORE, CORRECT PROJECTION SPEED, 57 MINUTES TOTAL. CHAPLIN