Billy West -- Funniest Man on Earth -- June 25, 2017

Moving Picture World, 30-June-1917

Billy West closely imitated Charlie Chaplin in a long series of comedies for different studios.While Chaplin was making the excellent Mutual comedies, West was making imitations of Chaplin's Essanay comedies.

Moving Picture World, 02-June-1917

Director Arvid E Gillstrom later directed talkies with Harry Langdon.

Moving Picture World, 02-June-1917

The story mentions his life in the theater but not his Chaplin imitation.

Moving Picture World, 02-June-1917

Oliver Hardy was a supporting player.

Moving Picture World, 09-June-1917

The image from "Dough-Nuts" reminds me of Chaplin in the Keystone "Dough and Dynamite."

Moving Picture World, 09-June-1917

In this scene from "Cupid's Rival," Leo White plays a French count, as he did in several Chaplin films.

Moving Picture World, 16-June-1917

"a machine gun series of laughs" -- shows the influence of World War One.

Moving Picture World, 23-June-1917

"Cupid's Rival" is available on more than one DVD.  It is funny, but not as well-paced as a Chaplin film.

Moving Picture World, 23-June-1917

In "The Villain," Billy West would play the villain.

Moving Picture World, 23-June-1917

"Mr. Howell declares Far Eastern audiences will simply 'eat them up.'"

Moving Picture World, 30-June-1917

There was a lawsuit when Billy West moved from his previous company to King Bee.  This article also mentions that the production company moved from Jacksonville, Florida to Flushing, New York.

Moving Picture World, 30-June-1917

Billy West would play a millionaire in "The Millionaire."  I begin to detect a pattern.