The Property Man
Encyclopedia
The Property Man is a short 1914
American
comedy silent film
made by Keystone Studios
starring Charlie Chaplin
.
Small caricatures on the wall indicate both the stars and the head of what can only be Charlie Chaplin with the word "PROPS" below.
Once the dressing-room issue is resolved the next issue is getting everyone on stage with the correct backdrop.
The order of performance, all of which we see is:
The "Goo-Goo Sisters", billed as comediennes; two young girls dancing
"Garlico" and his Feets of Strength (sic); a strong-man aided by his beautiful assistant who gets knocked out just before she goes on stage, allowing Charlie to step in.
"Sorrow" a drama performed by a man and woman.
During the performances we see the audience reaction throughout, ranging from delight to booing.
Backstage Charlie and an old man fight, often distrupting the on-stage performances. The audience also break into a fight, and a hose brought out behind the scenes ends up squirted over them.
1914 in film
The year 1914 in film involved some significant events, including the debut of Cecil B. DeMille as a director.-Events:*The 3,300-seat Mark Strand Theatre opens in New York City....
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comedy silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
made by Keystone Studios
Keystone Studios
Keystone Studios was an early movie studio founded in Edendale, California in 1912 as the Keystone Pictures Studio by Mack Sennett with backing from Adam Kessel and Charles O. Bauman, owners of the New York Motion Picture Company...
starring Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
.
Synopsis
Charlie is in charge of stage "props" and has trouble with actors' luggage and conflicts over who gets the star's dressing room.Small caricatures on the wall indicate both the stars and the head of what can only be Charlie Chaplin with the word "PROPS" below.
Once the dressing-room issue is resolved the next issue is getting everyone on stage with the correct backdrop.
The order of performance, all of which we see is:
The "Goo-Goo Sisters", billed as comediennes; two young girls dancing
"Garlico" and his Feets of Strength (sic); a strong-man aided by his beautiful assistant who gets knocked out just before she goes on stage, allowing Charlie to step in.
"Sorrow" a drama performed by a man and woman.
During the performances we see the audience reaction throughout, ranging from delight to booing.
Backstage Charlie and an old man fight, often distrupting the on-stage performances. The audience also break into a fight, and a hose brought out behind the scenes ends up squirted over them.
Trivia
The first section contains one of the first continuity errors. Whilst early films often lack any logical progression and could be claimed to be riddled with such, there is a point intended to run smoothly from one room to another where Charlie is burdened with a very heavy chest on his back. We see him lose his hat on one side, and on the other his hat is instantly back on his head.Cast
- Charles Chaplin - The Property Man
- Phyllis AllenPhyllis AllenPhyllis Allen was an American vaudeville and silent screen comedienne who worked with Charles Chaplin, Mabel Normand, Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, and Mack Sennett during a film career spanning 74 movies during the decade between 1913 and 1923.-Partial filmography:*Forced Bravery *Murphy's I.O.U....
- Lena Fat - Alice DavenportAlice DavenportAlice Davenport was an American film actress. She appeared in some 140 films between 1911 and 1930.She was born Alice Shepphard in New York, New York, and died in Los Angeles, California. She made her stage debut at age five...
- Actress - Charles BennettCharles Bennett (actor)Charles Bennett was an American actor. He appeared in 97 films between 1912 and 1932.He was born in Dunedin, New Zealand, USA and died in Hollywood, California.-External links:...
- George Ham, Lena's husband - Mack SennettMack SennettMack Sennett was a Canadian-born American director and was known as the innovator of slapstick comedy in film. During his lifetime he was known at times as the "King of Comedy"...
- Man in audience - Norma Nichols - Vaudeville artist
- Joe BordeauxJoe BordeauxJoe Bordeaux was an American film actor. He appeared in 73 films between 1914 and 1940.He was born in Colorado, and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:* The Great Dictator...
- Old actor - Harry McCoyHarry McCoyHarry McCoy was an American film actor and screewriter. He appeared in 155 films between 1912 and 1935.He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died in Hollywood, California from a heart attack....
- Drunk in audience - Lee Morris - Man in audience