The Champion - Charlie Chaplin (Silent Comedy, 1915)

The Champion (1915) is a 31-minute silent comedy film written, directed, and starring Charlie Chaplin, produced by Essanay Studios. This early Chaplin short, his third for Essanay, showcases his iconic Tramp character in a slapstick tale of boxing and underdog triumph, blending physical comedy with the quirky, instinctive behaviors that resonate with the theme of odd animal mating rituals, like those previously discussed.Plot Summary: The Tramp (Chaplin), down on his luck, wanders with his bulldog Spike, sharing a sausage in a poignant moment of camaraderie. Desperate for money, he stumbles upon a sign advertising a boxing match with a prize. He signs up as a sparring partner for a burly fighter, Bob Uppercut (Bud Jamison), enduring a brutal training session where he comically dodges punches and uses props like a horseshoe for luck (which backfires hilariously). Discovering the match is rigged, the Tramp trains with newfound determination, joined by Spike, who mimics his workouts. In the climactic fight, the Tramp faces the champion in a chaotic bout filled with exaggerated punches, pratfalls, and referee antics (Leo White). Spike joins the fray, biting the opponent’s leg, helping the Tramp win the match and the affection of a trainer’s daughter (Edna Purviance).