A Mutual Comedy. Copyright 5 February 1917 by Lone Star Corporation. U.S. release: 22 January 1917. 20 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: When he falls for a beautiful mission worker, a tramp decides to mend his ways. So he takes a job as a policeman. His beat is Easy Street, a nest of crims, dope addicts, wife beaters, etc.
COMMENT: This, the best of Chaplin's Mutual comedies was made straight after one of his least interesting, The Rink. Where The Rink was nothing but a dull succession of quick-timed, mindless slapstick, Easy Street has a heartening story to tell, and the humor is not imposed on that story but springs naturally from within it.
As usual, Chaplin has surrounded himself with an attention-grabbing array of support players, not the least of which are burly giant Eric Campbell and the lovely shining-haired Edna Purviance. Chaplin also makes the most of his sets and props. In fact, everyone who sees Easy Street (an ironic title!) will recall the street-lamp gag forever.
Grapevine offers a DVD set of all 12 Chaplin Mutuals. Although excellent 1930's re-issue prints with added music and sound effects, they run too fast! St Clair Vision's set of 51 Chaplins, runs a very worn print at correct speed. I recommend Delta's Essential Chaplin.
SYNOPSIS: When he falls for a beautiful mission worker, a tramp decides to mend his ways. So he takes a job as a policeman. His beat is Easy Street, a nest of crims, dope addicts, wife beaters, etc.
COMMENT: This, the best of Chaplin's Mutual comedies was made straight after one of his least interesting, The Rink. Where The Rink was nothing but a dull succession of quick-timed, mindless slapstick, Easy Street has a heartening story to tell, and the humor is not imposed on that story but springs naturally from within it.
As usual, Chaplin has surrounded himself with an attention-grabbing array of support players, not the least of which are burly giant Eric Campbell and the lovely shining-haired Edna Purviance. Chaplin also makes the most of his sets and props. In fact, everyone who sees Easy Street (an ironic title!) will recall the street-lamp gag forever.
Grapevine offers a DVD set of all 12 Chaplin Mutuals. Although excellent 1930's re-issue prints with added music and sound effects, they run too fast! St Clair Vision's set of 51 Chaplins, runs a very worn print at correct speed. I recommend Delta's Essential Chaplin.