The Silent Era

"One A.M." is a classic silent comedy short film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin, released in 1916. The plot revolves around a wealthy man, played by Chaplin himself, who arrives home late at night in a state of inebriation. The film begins with the man struggling to find his way into his opulent home, facing a series of comical obstacles as he navigates through the front door. Inside, the house becomes a maze of eccentricities, with furniture and household items seemingly conspiring against him. Chaplin's character encounters difficulties with a seemingly rebellious Murphy bed, a stubborn staircase, and a mischievous lamp, all of which contribute to the chaos within the household. As the man stumbles and fumbles his way through the rooms, his inebriation intensifies, leading to a string of slapstick comedy moments. Despite his attempts to control the situation, the man's drunken antics only escalate the disorder within the house. The film is a masterclass in physical comedy, with Chaplin's trademark humor evident in his exaggerated gestures and expressive facial expressions. Amidst the chaos, the man interacts with various objects and struggles to maintain his composure. The film's humor arises from Chaplin's ability to turn ordinary household items into sources of amusement, showcasing his unparalleled talent for slapstick comedy. In the end, the man's struggle to navigate his own home culminates in a humorous and unexpected resolution, leaving audiences entertained by Chaplin's unique brand of comedic storytelling. "One A.M." stands as a testament to Charlie Chaplin's brilliance in creating timeless and universally amusing films, even without the use of spoken words. - Charles Chaplin - Drunk - Albert Austin - Taxi driver Written and Directed by Charles Chaplin.

Arbuckle portrays a wandering individual who hitched a ride by hiding in a train's water tank. However, he is ejected from the train upon being caught pilfering food from the passengers. Pursued by a group of Indians with intentions of killing and consuming him, he seeks refuge in a town named Mad Dog Gulch. Inadvertently thwarting a robbery led by Wild Bill Hickup (St John) and his gang, he is appointed as the new bartender at the local establishment, "The Last Chance Saloon," by the town sheriff (Keaton). Later, Hickup returns in an inebriated state, causing havoc in the bar. When he becomes aggressive towards a young lady, "Salvation Sue" (Lake), the Bartender and the sheriff attempt to remove him once again. Despite unsuccessful attempts to incapacitate him with broken bottles and even a gunshot to the back, they manage to subdue him by tickling him until he retreats. Feeling humiliated, Hickup seeks revenge by kidnapping Sue and fleeing the town with his gang keeping the bartender and the sheriff at bay. The bartender eventually breaks free and pursues Hickup back to his shack while the sheriff holds off Hickup's men. After once again subduing Hickup through tickling, the bartender and Sue push his shack off a hill with him still inside. - Roscoe Arbuckleas Train Rider, Bartender - Buster Keatonas Sheriff, saloon owner - Al St. Johnas Wild Bill Hickup - Alice Lakeas Sue theSalvation Armylady - Joe Keatonas Man on train - Ernie Morrison Sr. Written and Directed by Roscoe Arbuckle.

"High and Dizzy" is a silent comedy film starring Harold Lloyd, released in 1920. The story follows Lloyd's character as he inadvertently becomes entangled in the chaos of a high-rise building. Lloyd plays a small-town doctor who accidentally ingests a potent concoction, leading to a series of hilarious misadventures. As the effects of the potion kick in, Lloyd's character finds himself on the ledge of a tall building, navigating various obstacles in a precarious and comedic manner. The film is known for its innovative and daring stunt work, showcasing Lloyd's trademark physical comedy. - Harold Lloydas the boy - Mildred Davisas the girl - Roy Brooksas his friend - Wallace Howeas her father - William Gillespie(uncredited) - Mark Jones as hotel bellboy number 2 (uncredited) - Gaylord Lloyd(uncredited) - Charles Stevensonas Police officer (uncredited) - Noah Youngas man who breaks hotel room door (uncredited) Directed by Hal Roach

"One Week" is a classic silent film starring Buster Keaton, released in 1920. The film revolves around the misadventures of a newlywed couple, played by Buster Keaton and Sybil Seely, who receive a build-it-yourself house as a wedding gift. The catch is that the packing crates containing the house parts are mistakenly shuffled, leading to a series of comedic and surreal challenges during the construction process. As the couple attempts to assemble their new home, the film unfolds with a delightful blend of physical comedy, clever visual gags, and Keaton's trademark deadpan expression. The narrative takes unexpected turns, showcasing Keaton's inventive use of props and innovative stunts. Notably, the film features a unique house with eccentricities such as a lopsided structure, revolving walls, and misplaced fixtures, contributing to the overall humor and absurdity of the story. "One Week" is celebrated for its ingenuity, showcasing Keaton's mastery of physical comedy and his ability to turn ordinary situations into extraordinary sources of humor. The film is a testament to Keaton's brilliance as a filmmaker and performer during the silent film era. - Buster Keatonas the groom - Sybil Seelyas the bride - Joe Robertsas piano mover Directed by Buster Keaton and Edward F. Cline

The film opens on a steamship crossing the Atlantic, featuring the misadventures of the Little Tramp, Charlie Chaplin's iconic character. The humorous scenes include the Tramp's playful act of fishing while appearing seasick and his antics aboard the swaying ship. Along the way, he befriends an unnamed immigrant woman who, along with her ailing mother, has been robbed. The Tramp, winning money in a card game, tries to help them but is mistaken for a pickpocket. Upon reaching America, the Tramp and the woman part ways. Later, hungry and broke, the Tramp finds a coin but loses it in a restaurant. The story takes a turn when an artist offers them a job posing for a painting. Despite several comic attempts to retrieve a fake coin, the Tramp manages to pay for their meal with the artist's tip, leaving the waiter perplexed. In the rain outside a marriage license office, the Tramp proposes to the woman, who initially resists until he carries her into the office, concluding the story with a touch of humor and romance. ⁃ Charles Chaplin- Immigrant ⁃ Edna Purviance- Immigrant ⁃ Eric Campbell- The head waiter ⁃ Albert Austin- Seasick immigrant / A diner ⁃ Henry Bergman- The artist ⁃ Kitty Bradbury- The Mother ⁃ Frank J. Coleman- The cheater on the boat / Restaurant Owner ⁃ Tom Harrington - Marriage Registrar ⁃ James T. Kelley- Shabby Man in Restaurant ⁃ John Rand- Tipsy Diner Who Cannot Pay Directed by Charles Chaplin