Another historic Chaplin film does not a good film make. Chaplin debuts for Essanay Films in a film aptly titled His New Job. The job in the title refers to Chaplin trying to work for a film studio, much like his "A Film Johnnie" the year before. Chaplin tries his hand at carpentry backstage before wiggling his way into acting where he fails also. Chaplin starred in, directed, wrote, and edited the film, which also stars Ben Turpin of cross-eyed and large mustache fame. The film moves briskly, but it's really more of the same Keystone Chaplin. There is slapstick minus the excessive violence that marred earlier films, but there is barely a plot in this one. Future silent film giants Agnes Ayres and Gloria Swanson have bit roles in this film. ** of 4 stars.
Review of His New Job
