Mabel's Strange Predicament
Encyclopedia
Mabel's Strange Predicament is a 1914
American
-made motion picture starring Mabel Normand
and Charles Chaplin, notable for being the first film for which Chaplin donned the Tramp costume.
was first presented to the public in Chaplin's second film Kid Auto Races at Venice
(released February 7, 1914) though Mabel's Strange Predicament, his third film in order of release, (released February 9, 1914) was produced a few days before. It was for this film that Chaplin first conceived of and played the Tramp. As Chaplin recalled in his autobiography
:
Mabel's Strange Predicament is one of more than a dozen early films that writer/director/comedienne Mabel Normand made with Chaplin; Normand, who had written and directed films before Chaplin, mentored the young comedian. Interestingly, Chaplin's Tramp is shown swigging from a flask toward the beginning of the film and subsequently becoming so drunk that he staggers when he walks and falls down repeatedly near the end. His portrayal of drunkenness remains convincingly realistic. The Tramp also keeps his derby cocked throughout the proceedings, a touch that Chaplin abandoned later in his career.
1914 in film
The year 1914 in film involved some significant events, including the debut of Cecil B. DeMille as a director.-Events:*The 3,300-seat Mark Strand Theatre opens in New York City....
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-made motion picture starring Mabel Normand
Mabel Normand
Mabel Normand was an American silent film comedienne and actress. She was a popular star of Mack Sennett's Keystone Studios and is noted as one of the film industry's first female screenwriters, producers and directors...
and Charles Chaplin, notable for being the first film for which Chaplin donned the Tramp costume.
First "Tramp" appearance filmed
The TrampThe Tramp
The Tramp, also known as The Little Tramp was Charlie Chaplin's most memorable on-screen character, a recognized icon of world cinema most dominant during the silent film era....
was first presented to the public in Chaplin's second film Kid Auto Races at Venice
Kid Auto Races at Venice
Kid Auto Races At Venice is a 1914 American-made motion picture starring Charlie Chaplin in which his "Little Tramp" character makes his first appearance.-Synopsis:...
(released February 7, 1914) though Mabel's Strange Predicament, his third film in order of release, (released February 9, 1914) was produced a few days before. It was for this film that Chaplin first conceived of and played the Tramp. As Chaplin recalled in his autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
:
- "I had no idea what makeup to put on. I did not like my get-up as the press reporter [in Making a Living]. However on the way to the wardrobe I thought I would dress in baggy pants, big shoes, a cane and a derby hat. I wanted everything to be a contradiction: the pants baggy, the coat tight, the hat small and the shoes large. I was undecided whether to look old or young, but remembering Sennet had expected me to be a much older man, I added a small mustache, which I reasoned, would add age without hiding my expression.
- I had no idea of the character. But the moment I was dressed, the clothes and the makeup made me feel the person he was. I began to know him, and by the time I walked on stage he was fully born" (Chaplin, My Autobiography: 154).
Mabel's Strange Predicament is one of more than a dozen early films that writer/director/comedienne Mabel Normand made with Chaplin; Normand, who had written and directed films before Chaplin, mentored the young comedian. Interestingly, Chaplin's Tramp is shown swigging from a flask toward the beginning of the film and subsequently becoming so drunk that he staggers when he walks and falls down repeatedly near the end. His portrayal of drunkenness remains convincingly realistic. The Tramp also keeps his derby cocked throughout the proceedings, a touch that Chaplin abandoned later in his career.
Plot
In a hotel lobby a heavily drunk Charlie runs into an elegant lady, Mabel, gets tied up in her dog's leash, and falls down. He later runs into her in the hotel corridor, locked out of her room. They run through various rooms. Mabel ends up in one of an elderly husband where she hides under the bed. Enters the jealous wife, soon attacking Mabel, her husband, and Mabel's lover, not to mention the staggeringly drunken Tramp.Cast
- Mabel NormandMabel NormandMabel Normand was an American silent film comedienne and actress. She was a popular star of Mack Sennett's Keystone Studios and is noted as one of the film industry's first female screenwriters, producers and directors...
... Mabel - Charles Chaplin ... Tramp
- Chester ConklinChester ConklinChester Cooper Conklin was an American comedian and actor. He appeared in over 280 films, about half of them in the silent era.-Early life:...
... Husband - Alice DavenportAlice DavenportAlice Davenport was an American film actress. She appeared in some 140 films between 1911 and 1930.She was born Alice Shepphard in New York, New York, and died in Los Angeles, California. She made her stage debut at age five...
... Wife - Harry McCoyHarry McCoyHarry McCoy was an American film actor and screewriter. He appeared in 155 films between 1912 and 1935.He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died in Hollywood, California from a heart attack....
... Lover - Hank MannHank MannHank Mann was a comedian and silent screen star who is best known as the last surviving member of the Keystone Cops. According to fellow actor and original member of the ensemble Edgar Kennedy, Mann was the originator of the idea for the Keysotne Cops...
... Hotel Guest - Al St. John ... Bellboy
External links
- Mabel's Strange Predicament at archive.org (viewable and downloadable movie)