The Essential Charlie Chaplin Collection: Volume 1

This collection of seven shorts from the legendary Charlie Chaplin includes: "Making A Living" (1914, 8 min.) - This typical Keystone slapstick comedy was Charlie Chaplin's first appearance on film. Charlie plays a stereotypical Victorian villian sporting a frock coat, top hat and monocle. "Kid Auto Races At Venice" (1914, 6 min.) - Filmed on the boardwalk at Venice, California, this short finds Charlie's character vying for "Screen Time" as a camerman tries to film a kiddy-car race. "Mabel's Strange Predicament" (1914, 10 min.) - Charlie has had one too many drinks when he enters a hotel and bumps into the lovely Mabel (Mabel Normand), hopelessly tangled in her dog's leash. "Between Showers" (1914,10 min.) - Between Showers is the first Chaplin film shot partially at Westlake Park. It shows a few developments of his Tramp character, mostly little bits of "business" that would recur in later films. "Film Johnny" (1914, 7 min.) - Charlie is a movie fan and we first see him creating havoc at a theatre where he gets too involved with the action on the screen and the beautiful actress in the film. "Charlie's Recreation" (1914, 12 min.) - Tango Tangles is an impromptu Keystone comedy which exploited the current "tango craze." Charlie ventures into a public ballroom crowed with dancers in fancy costumes. "His Favorite Pastime" (1914, 14 min.) - Charlie has two pastimes that he enjoys, drinking and flirting with girls. While doing a little drinking he makes the other patron's lives miserable.