The Property Man

The Property Man

Theatrical poster to The Property Man
Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Produced by Mack Sennett
Starring Charles Chaplin
Phyllis Allen
Alice Davenport
Charles Bennett
Mack Sennett
Norma Nichols
Joe Bordeaux
Harry McCoy
Lee Morris
Cinematography Frank D. Williams
Production
company
Distributed by Mutual Film
Release dates
  • August 1, 1914 (1914-08-01)
Running time
 31 minutes
Country United States
Language Silent film
English (Original titles)
The Property Man

The Property Man is a short 1914 American comedy silent film made by Keystone Studios starring Charlie Chaplin.

Synopsis

Charlie is in charge of stage "props" and has trouble with actors' luggage and conflicts over who gets the star's dressing room.

Small caricatures on the wall indicate both the stars and the head of what can only be Charlie Chaplin with the word "PROPS" below.

Once the dressing-room issue is resolved the next issue is getting everyone on stage with the correct backdrop.

The order of performance, all of which is seen is:

The "Goo-Goo Sisters", billed as comediennes; two young girls dancing "Garlico" and his Feets of Strength (sic); a strong-man aided by his beautiful assistant who gets knocked out just before she goes on stage, allowing Charlie to step in. "Sorrow" a drama performed by a man and woman.

During the performances we see the audience reaction throughout, ranging from delight to booing.

Backstage Charlie and an old man fight, often disrupting the on-stage performances. The audience also break into a fight, and a hose brought out behind the scenes ends up squirted over them.

Trivia

The first section contains one of the first continuity errors. Whilst early films often lack any logical progression and could be claimed to be riddled with such, there is a point intended to run smoothly from one room to another where Charlie is burdened with a very heavy chest on his back. We see him lose his hat on one side, and on the other his hat is instantly back on his head.

Cast

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Property Man.


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