Aug. 08, 2003 - 8:16 am
a new online friend from Michigan who loves Star Wars (1977) and Chaplin films suggested this one to me, saying it was her favorite by him. i told her that mine was City Lights (1931), but that i would try my best to go out and find a copy of this Chaplin short so i could talk to her about it.
in this film, Charlie is an inebriate instead of the tramp that he usually plays. the film begins with an introduction stating that at the time the film was made, drunkenness was a widespread problem in the working class and people found it quite comical. also that gout was a medical problem believed to be caused by being overweight. Charlie goes to a health spa in order to get over his alcoholism but ends up bringing a huge trunk full of wine bottles with him (his only piece of luggage). in the main gathering area of the spa, there's a small well filled with mineral waters that everyone drinks from so that they'll feel better. eventually, after all of the spa attendants get drunk off of Charlie's stash they accidentally throw all of the remaining bottles of wine into this well and the whole spa community goes on a bender.
Chaplin's range of emotions always amazes me. during this film we find him believable as not only a drunk but also a fighter, a ladies' man, a coward, and a prankster. he can take many seemingly contradictory emotions and situations and make them fit together seamlessly. overall i'd have to say that this short film is definitely very funny at different points, but i don't know if i'd call it comic genius like some of Chaplin's later stuff.