Charlie Chaplin: The Mutual Films Collection (Limited Edition Blu-ray box set) Blu Ray – John Rand , Eric Campbell

Collection of 12 silent short films made by Charlie Chaplin during his partnership with Mutual Films. In ‘The Floorwalker’ (1916), Chaplin causes chaos in a department store and then runs into a thieving employee with whom he shares an uncanny resemblance. In ‘The Fireman’ (1916), a fire chief (Eric Campbell) is advised to ignore the burning house of a local (Lloyd Bacon) so he can collect the insurance money. But trouble ensues when another fire breaks out nearby. In ‘The Vagabond’ (1916), a violinist (Chaplin) meets and rescues a girl (Edna Purviance) from a gang of gypsies, only to have their relationship complicated by the arrival of an artist (Bacon). In ‘One A.M.’ (1916), Chaplin plays a young man who struggles around his house after a late night of drinking. In ‘The Count’ (1916), Chaplin takes the place of a Count at a party after he is fired for burning his trousers. In ‘The Pawnshop’ (1916), a young assistant (Chaplin) battles with his fellow employee (John Rand) whilst terrorising his boss (Henry Bergman). In ‘Behind the Screen’ (1916), Chaplin plays a stagehand working in a film studio where three films are being shot simultaneously. In ‘The Rink’ (1916), a waiter uses his lunch break to go roller skating. In ‘Easy Street’ (1917), the little tramp takes on the role of a police officer to maintain law and order in a slum. In ‘The Cure’ (1917), an alcoholic checks into a health spa to dire results. In ‘The Immigrant’ (1917), two voyagers fall in love on their boat journey from Europe to America. In ‘The Adventurer’ (1917), Chaplin escapes from prison and falls in love with a wealthy young lady (Purviance), much to the annoyance of her current suitor (Campbell).

Charlie Chaplin entered the film industry in 1914 and by 1916 was the highest paid entertainer in the world after signing a contract with the Mutual Film Corporation for a salary of $670 000. Mutual built Chaplin his very own studio and allowed him total freedom to make 12 two-reel films during a 12-month period which have been brought together for the first time on this two-disc boxset. Chaplin subsequently recognised this period of film-making as the most inventive and liberating of his career. These twelve films demonstrate the breadth of Chaplin’s abilities as both a physical slapstick actor and a subtle endearing character actor. The collection includes the slapstick custard pie fights of Behind the Screen and his first minor masterpiece The Vagabond where he successfully combines pathos and comedy to create a lyrical love story. This limited edition collection of Chaplin films has been fully restored and features music by acclaimed silent film composer Carl Davis. Bonus Features: 12 films (1916-1917) with Carl Davis scores all presented in full High Definition: The Floorwalker The Fireman The Vagabond One AM The Count The Pawnshop Behind the Screen The Rink Easy Street The Cure The Immigrant The Adventurer Alternative scores for each film by a range of composers Audio commentaries for selected films Newsreel shorts: Chaplin Signs the Mutual Contract (1916 30 secs); Charlie on the Ocean (1921 5 mins) Carl Davis interview (9 mins) Extensive booklet with essays and full film credits