The Masquerader (1914/I)

Director:

Charles Chaplin

Writer:

Charles Chaplin (writer)

Release Date:

27 August 1914 (USA)

Genre:

Short | Comedy

Plot:

Charlie is an actor in a film studio. He messes up several scenes and is tossed out. Returning dressed as a lady...

Plot Keywords:

Beer | Actor | Costume

Cast

Charles Chaplin	...	Film Actor / Beautiful Stranger
Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle	...	Film Actor
Chester Conklin	...	Film Actor
Charles Murray	...	Film Director
Jess Dandy	...	Actor / Villain
Minta Durfee	...	Leading Lady
Cecile Arnold	...	Actress
Vivian Edwards	...	Actress
Harry McCoy	...	Actor
Charley Chase	...	Actor

Also Known As:

Putting One Over
The Female
The Female Impersonator (USA)
The Perfumed Lady (USA)
The Picnic (USA)

Runtime:

16 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Finland:S (1964) | Argentina:Atp

Company:

Keystone Film Company

Movie Connections:

Edited into When Comedy Was King (1960)

Uneven, But Interesting & Generally Amusing Short Comedy

This is an interesting little short comedy that, while rather uneven, is generally amusing. It's mostly remembered for Chaplin disguising himself as a woman, in an attempt to get into a movie studio. The idea of a man masquerading as a woman, or vice versa, was relatively common in the old silent comedies - this is one of the more believable efforts, as Charlie's disguise is credible enough to make that part of the movie work all right. But that's not necessarily the best or even the most interesting part of the film.

The setting in a movie studio is interesting in itself, offering a chance for some good-natured self-parody, and they got reasonable mileage out of the idea. Perhaps the best-crafted scene occurs very early on, when Chaplin and 'Fatty' Arbuckle have a battle of wits in the dressing room. It's no coincidence that it is the one scene in the picture in which Chaplin performs with another highly talented comedian, as the smooth timing and careful movement make it stand out from the more disjointed, frantic pace of most of the rest of the movie. But even as a whole, the movie works all right, despite its lack of refinement. It's hardly one of Chaplin's top efforts, but still entertaining and worth seeing.