Review of Flicker Alley's Chaplin Essanay set

[DShepFilm]

DVD Beaver:

http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-ray_ ... lu-ray.htm" target="_blank

David Shepard

[Smari1989]

Looking very much forward to this set.

BTW, any idea when, exactly, CHARLIE BUTTS IN was released?

[R Michael Pyle]

Received mine today. Really looking forward to watching these!

[All Darc]

I found a mistake...

Look ate the penultimate capture (reportad as damaged) on DVDBeaver review: http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film5/blu-ray_ ... lu-ray.htm" target="_blank

It's washed out in contrast aspect.
Butlook at this vídeo in 09:39 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDmevM7pnNw" target="_blank
The image in the vídeo it's fine.

[BiggieB]

But look at the picture quality at 9:39. Chaplin's eyes are just smudges. Look at the detail of his eyes in the Flicker Alley print.

[Tommie Hicks]

Is the circled woman Mae Wallace?

[mutantmoose]

I watched "A Night Out" yesterday, and it is tough sledding. This film has suffered in so many ways, and while I appreciate the effort that went into setting the film back into its original state as much as possible, it is disjointed, thanks to missing bits, odd edits, and wildly varying quality footage. It's so odd in places that I really wondered if it was misedited in places during the restoration, but I think that's just the way the film is.
These films just aren't as polished, or even as good, as the Mutual films later on were. I found myself actually questioning the editing of the films (as if I have a millionth of the talent of Chaplin during that era!) and the shot selection.
The restorations are really good, though. I thought that it would be hard to improve on the last restorations done by Mr. Shepherd, and these really have accomplished the job.

[Smari1989]

Well, neither HIS NEW JOB nor A NIGHT OUT are among Chaplin's better films, or Essanay-films, in and of themselves, in any case. I'm willing to bet the editing and other aspects will hastily improve, even though I haven't received my set yet.

[Scoundrel]

I haven't even received the set and here come the armchair experts telling everyone what's wrong with it.

Perhaps these folks can pool their money together and show us how it's done.

[odinthor]

Is the circled woman Mae Wallace?

She also looks a bit Blanche Payson-ish, as well as (more likely!) like the friend in The Rink, whom I always thought was Blanche Payson, but IMDB says it's one Leota Bryan.

Isn't the moustachioed gent in the foreground the father in The Rink, James T. Kelley?

[Tommie Hicks]

[/quote]Isn't the moustachioed gent in the foreground the father in The Rink, James T. Kelley?[/quote]

That mustachioed gent with the toop is this actor with Ham who was in tons of silent comedies and disappears around the flu epidemic. I posted this picture to get a name for him on another forum. Steve Massa gave his name which I promptly forgot. I think Roy is his first name.

[Jim Harwood]

I'm amazed with how good these shorts look. The previous DVD sets were excellent, but the added boost of Blu-ray, as well as all of the image cleanup, really makes these discs look beautiful projected onto a large screen. Sure there are some rough patches here and there because not every shot exists in perfect condition. Those are happily few and far between. I was surprised by a pullback (repeated sequence) early on in HIS NEW JOB that got missed. But for the most part this set is 99.9% awe inspiring.

I've seen A NIGHT AT THE SHOW a lot over the years, but here it is with perfect contrast. Finally we're able to see every expression on Chaplin's face and there's just so much there which adds to the enjoyment of his performance.

And though I know it's a sensitive subject, like with the previous Keystone set, I'm glad the film speed has been slowed down to a more natural rate. I've noticed many things for the first time, having missed them before because of a combination of choppy pre-print, poor to so-so contrast and being projected at the wrong speed.

I'm doing my best to limit myself to one short per night to spread out the goodness. Looking forward to watching IN THE PARK this evening.

Having spent hundreds of dollars for a 2-reeler in 16mm not long ago, this Blu-ray/DVD set of the Chaplin Essanay's for $40 is a no-brainer. Congrats David, Serge and to everyone involved!

[Rob Farr]

Ben Model's Undercranking Studies -The Adventurer:


Ben Model's Undercranking Studies - The Pawnshop:

[Smari1989]

I received my set today, and just watched HIS NEW JOB. It looks superb, certainly much better than all prints we've seen previously, and Rodney Sauer's music is very fitting. I also very much appreciate the authentic/authentic-looking opening titles. As to the film itself, I certainly find it funnier here than before; many bits and gags I hadn't noticed before, and the Tramp is charming even when he's at his most sadistic. At the same time, it does feel rather too long, and doesn't really have a climax such as even the better Keystones have; Chaplin would fully master the two-reel format in the months to come, of course.

[Tommie Hicks]

I started to order mine a few minutes ago and Amazon says they are out of copies.

[Jim Reid]

I started to order mine a few minutes ago and Amazon says they are out of copies.

It's about $15 cheaper to buy it direct from Flicker Alley.

[Mark Zimmer]

Mine arrived from Flicker Alley last night. Since we're going to be snowed in this weekend I'll get to spend some quality time with it.

[silentfilm]

DVD talk reviews the Flicker Alley Chaplin set... http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/69664/ch ... -comedies/

[FlickerAlley]

Thanks for sharing reviews of the set, David and Bruce!

We have this new post on our blog about Chaplin's time at Essanay by Dan Kamin, performer and author of The Comedy of Charlie Chaplin: Artistry in Motion, which we hope folks this thread will enjoy: http://www.flickeralley.com/his-new-job ... o-essanay/. Dan Kamin trained Robert Downey, Jr. for his Oscar-nominated performance in Chaplin.