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Win Chaplin's Essanay Comedies— Enter Now Through November 13

Next Tuesday we get the third installment in a series completing the birth of one of the most momentous careers in movie history. Chaplin's Essanay Comedies, featuring 15 films Charlie Chaplin made in less than one year for Chicago-based Essanay, is the link between his Keystone films of 1913-14 and his Mutual comedies of 1916-17, both previously released by Flicker Alley.

And one lucky Nitratevillain can win the set (sorry, US only). Just...

go to the page here

and sign up for Flicker Alley's newsletter, and you'll get automatically entered for the drawing which will close for entries on November 13. One winner will be chosen and notified—but if you're not the lucky winner, learn more about the set and order your copy here.

Meanwhile, to make this thread interesting, here's a question to answer in the thread: what's the most interesting Chaplin short from these three sets (if you've seen the Essanay ones) for you? Mine is The Fireman, which I don't think I had seen before the Mutuals were released but I really enjoyed as more of an ensemble piece than a Chaplin star vehicle.

I can't get the link to work. It is taking me to a page to post a topic. Am I clicking in the wrong spot?

Thanks,
Matthew

Sorry about that, fixed now.

Though it isn’t my favorite Chaplin by a long shot, Tillie’s Punctured Romance represents the most “interesting” viewing experience I’ve had with any of the restorations. When I started collecting 8mm movies in grade school, a Blackhawk print of that film happened to be my very first acquisition. The print they had available at the time derived from one of the later reissues, and ran about 40 minutes. There were some choppy sections, and the sequence in the movie theater with Charley Chase was missing entirely. Years later I saw a more complete print of it on VHS. Even so, the restored version in the Keystone set is remarkable. And kind of strange, because there are scenes in it that are so very familiar to me, and yet, among the familiar routines, there are moments and brief shots I’ve never seen before, right down to the finale when the actors drop their characters and take a bow.

The Face on the Barroom Floor takes second place. I’d seen it only once, at a public screening long ago, and didn’t much care for it. I now realize that the print shown on that occasion was clumsily re-edited by other hands, as so often happened with Chaplin’s early efforts, and not at all the film he made. The restored version is one of my favorite Keystones.

I can't play Blu-Rays

drednm wrote:I can't play Blu-Rays

The set has DVDs as well as the Blu-Rays.

Paul Penna wrote:

drednm wrote:I can't play Blu-Rays

The set has DVDs as well as the Blu-Rays.

You kill two birds.
You have DVDs, and when you get a Bluray player, you have the BD's.

That question is tough, What's the most interesting Chaplin short from these three sets,

The Face On The Barroom Floor, A Night in the Show (every time I see it reminds me of the last rock concert I attended),
and The Pilgrim. Sorry, I can't pick one. Too many classics to choose from.

I'd have to narrow it down to a four-way tie between EASY STREET, THE IMMIGRANT, THE ADVENTURER and THE CURE, all Mutual shorts. I'll also cop to enjoying the hell out of KID AUTO RACES AT VENICE.

If I really had to narrow it down, I guess I'd go with EASY STREET, largely for the joy of watching Chaplin's moments with Eric Campbell's Bully. EASY STREET doesn't have the nicely handled pathos of THE IMMIGRANT, of course.

I'm in! I don't think I've seen any of these shorts, but I am slowly working my way through the Mutuals.

I'm especially fond of the Mutuals. THE IMMIGRANT usually gets my vote as the best, with THE ADVENTURER ranking as the funniest. However, having had the chance to watch them all again recently, I must say THE PAWNSHOP is now rated more highly by me - it's better than I remembered. For the Essanays, I think BURLESQUE ON CARMEN is the best-constructed, plotwise, and A NIGHT IN THE SHOW is best for gag content.

I like His New Job or The Champion among the Essanay titles

WOW!
The box is only 39,95 AND free shipping until midnight! Just ordered my!

"To celebrate the monumental release of Chaplin's Essanay Comedies, we're offering FREE SHIPPING on all orders with Discount Coupon: FREESHIP10. Offer ends TONIGHT at MIDNIGHT, so shop now!"

Watching "A Night in the Show" kills me each time.
It was a rock concert audience 100 years ago. Patrons in the front, rowdies in the balconies.

Chaplin playing multiple roles also makes it one of my favorites.

I haven't received the Essanay-set yet, so I'll have to leave that one out from the discussion for now... But I have to say that, among the restored Keystones, THE KNOCKOUT was a revelation to me. I always found that one rather tedious and dull, not helped by the fact that Chaplin's in it so briefly (I really like Arbuckle too, but didn't find this to be one of his better efforts). However, in the Flicker Alley-set that film came alive to me; particularly the ending, with the madcap entrance of the Keystone Kops, had me laughing out loud. Don't know if I'd vote for it as the most "interesting" film, though. Guess I'll have to wait for the Essanay-set.

If by interesting we mean "best" film, I'd naturally have to go with one of the Mutuals; EASY STREET or THE IMMIGRANT, or THE PAWNSHOP for its many magnificent gags and situations, and Chaplin's movements and facial expressions (can't believe that one's from 1916, Chaplin truly was ahead of his time at this point).

Today's the last day to enter for this, so do it today! Enjoying the responses in the thread as well.

What time will be announced the winner?

What's the Chaplin film in which Edna Purviance plays a gypsy?

Ed, it is THE VAGABOND, the third Mutual.

Thanks.... I went blank.... and that's unusual for me....

That's my fave.....

So the winner is... Tom.

Not sure if Tom has posted given that not-very-distinctive name, or is a lurker, but that's what I'm told. Congrats, Tom! CORRECTION: See next post

Watch for another annual drawing coming up soon, also courtesy of Flicker Alley...

Actually I'm Tom, got the email on Monday but hadn't checked until this morning. Thanks for the contest, it looks like a nice set.

35MM wrote:Actually I'm Tom, got the email on Monday but hadn't checked until this morning. Thanks for the contest, it looks like a nice set.

I'm glad it went to an active poster. Congratulations!

I ordered the set, so hopefully it'll be winging its way to me soon.