Mr Charles Chaplin is Presented in His First Essanay Release -- February 24, 2015

Moving Picture World, 06-February-1915

"We Make Money for You -- The 'A=B=C' of Film Finance."  Note the coins flowing out of the camera lenses. 

January and February, 1915 were busy times for Charlie Chaplin.  He made and released his first movies for Essanay. 

Moving Picture World, 06-February-1915

A detail from the same ad announced Chaplin's first film for Essanay, "His New Job," which was an appropriate title.  Essanay usually referred to him as "Charles" rather than "Charlie." 

Moving Picture World, 06-February-1915

Another detail shows that the "A=B=C" is GM (Broncho Billy) Anderson, "The face known all around the world," Francis X Bushman, "The man voted the world's most popular photoplayer," and Charles Chaplin, "The world's funniest comedian." 

Moving Picture World, 06-February-1915

An article in the same issue carries on the "A=B=C" with a photo of the big three. 

Moving Picture World, 06-February-1915

A review quotes Chaplin as saying "It is the funniest comedy I ever produced."  "Mr Chaplin was ably assisted in his work by Ben Turpin, one of the oldest comedians in time of service in the motion picture business." 

Motography, 06-February-1915

Motography's review is nearly the same as the beginning of Motion Picture World's, which tells me that both originated from a press release.  "This comedy is declared by critics who have seen it..." tells me the magazine's writers had not seen the movie at that point.  This was because the February 6 issue was probably printed before the movie was released on February 1. 



Moving Picture World, 13-February-1915

This two page spread features Francis X Bushman more prominently than Chaplin.  It mentions that Chaplin's next film, "One Night Out" will be released on February 11.  It was released as "A Night Out." 

Motography, 13-February-1915

Motography, 13-February-1915

The next issue of Motography included an actual review of "His New Job."  "All the familiar Chaplin antics, made famous when he was with the Keystone Company, are again to be witnessed I this Essanay burlesque drama." 

Motography, 13-February-1915

Another still from the film appeared with a brief summary. 

Moving Picture World, 20-February-1915

Francis X Bushman's name is at the top of the page and it is larger than Chaplin's. 

Moving Picture World, 20-February-1915

But Chaplin gets the facing page all to himself, with an ad that reproduces the Chicago Daily Tribune's review of "His New Job." 

Motography, 20-February-1915

A small item mentions that Broncho Billy and Chaplin are both working in Niles, California. 

Moving Picture World, 27-February-1915

Francis X Bushman's name is at the top of the page, but Chaplin and Ben Turpin get a photo. 

Moving Picture World, 27-February-1915

The review of Chaplin's second Essanay, "A Night Out," has a photo of Chaplin and Leo White.  Drunken Chaplin and Ben Turpin "manage to zig-zag their way up to their rooms where they are horrified by running across a woman in pajamas, with a poodle."  This was the first appearance of Edna Purviance. 

Moving Picture World, 27-February-1915

This dealer offers photocards of stars.  Notice whose picture he used in the ad. 

Moving Picture World, 27-February-1915

The Davis Brothers of San Francisco offered a variety of advertising items.  They also featured a photo of Chaplin. 

Essanay Announces It Has Secured Charles Chaplin -- 22-January-2015

Moving Picture World, 02-January-1915

"You Know What Charles Chaplin Means to Your Box Office!"  You will notice that Essanay always refers to him as Charles Chaplin. 

Be sure to click on all the images to see larger versions. 

December, 1914 and January, 1915 were busy times for Charlie Chaplin.  He made his last movies for Keystone, he signed a large contract with Essanay, he went to Chicago, he made his first movie for Essanay, and he returned to California. 

Motography, 02-January-1915

The New York Motion Picture Company, parent of Keystone, said Keystone would carry on without Chaplin.  "...three new recruits have already been signed at the coast studio, it is not decided just which one of them will be given the stellar comedienne (sic - JT) role."  I don't know much about "Dutch" Ward, but I know that he did not hit the big time with Keystone.  I have seen Billy Walsh mentioned in Variety.  Keystone had a comedian named Harry Gribbon.  I don't know Samuel Gribbons.  "The return of a former Keystone funny man is under consideration."  I wonder if that was Ford Sterling. 

Moving Picture World, 02-January-1915

Chaplin, along with Mabel Normand and Roscoe Arbuckle, is described as a Mutual-Keystone star.  They all attended the San Francisco Screen Club Ball. 

Moving Picture World, 09-January-1915

"First release dates Will be announced soon." 



Moving Picture World, 09-January-1915

"Essanay Now Tops List of Photoplay Producers."  "Best Known Actors and Actresses Seen; Anderson, Bushman, and Chaplin Lead." 

Moving Picture World, 09-January-1915

I like the photo.  "It is probable that Mr. Chaplin is the first to successfully adapt pantomime to the uses of the motion picture."  It says he was already working at Essanay's Studio in Niles, California, but that does not sound correct. 

Moving Picture World, 09-January-1915

"Charles Chaplin closed his engagement with Mack Sennett and has gone up the coast to work for the S. & A. under G. M. Anderson, who came to town and closed a contract with the little comedian."  This item also implies that Chaplin would be working in Niles, California right away. 

Moving Picture World, 09-January-1915

"Our Burg," a column of items about events in Chicago mentions that "Charley" Chaplin had arrived that week and says facetiously that the Essanay studio floor was being reinforced "preparatory for some of Charley's strenuous stuff."  The bottom item mentions that Broncho Billy Anderson spent Christmas in Chicago. 

Moving Picture World, 09-January-1915

Chaplin's only feature for Keystone, Tillie's Punctured Romance, was still in release.  Poor Mabel Normand had her "d" cut off.  That happened a lot.  Read the November 14 review here:
http://bigvriotsquad.blogspot.com/2014/11/tillies-punctured-romance-november-17.html

Seattle Star, 23-January-1915

Seattle's Clean, Well Ventilated, Comfortable Class "A" Theatre (good name) featured Chaplin and Mabel Normand in an excellent Keystone two reeler, "Caught in a Cabaret."   

Moving Picture World, 16-January-1915

"Millions Laugh With Charles Chaplin." 

Moving Picture World, 16-January-1915

"Harry Chaplin"? 

Motography, 16-January-1915

Clarence J Caine's article "Charles Chaplin in a Serious Mood" says that Chaplin "arrived in Chicago the latter part of last week, in company with 'Broncho Billy' Anderson and will remain at the Essanay studios in that city indefinitely, producing his inimitable farce comedies which have proved such a drawing card for exhibitors in all parts of the world." 

"'Do you know to what extent the popularity of your comedies has reached?' I queried.

"'No,' he frankly replied, 'but I have been told that they are quite amusing.  I often wonder if the people sitting in a theater realize the immense amount of thought we put into our efforts or the depth of screen psychology'"

Caine refers to him as "Charlie." 

Seattle Star, 23-January-1915

Seattle's Clean Comfy Cozy Class "A" Theatre featured Chaplin and Roscoe Arbuckle in an excellent Keystone two reeler, "The Rounders,"  with "Mrs. Ed Stoudt at Piano." 

Moving Picture World, 23-January-1915

"Essanay is now offering to exhibitors three of the greatest stars the photoplay world has ever seen -- the "A.B.C." of drama and comedy -- Mr. G.M. Anderson Mr. Francis X. Bushman and Mr. Charles Chaplin." 

Moving Picture World, 23-January-1915

Broncho Billy Anderson, who got around a lot, was in New York City.  "Asked as to the acquisition by his company of Charles Chaplin, the comedian, he said that the newcomer would work in Chicago under the guidance of Director Robin.  Mr. Robin has for five years been with Mr. Anderson in the west."  I don't know who director Robin was. 

Motography, 23-January-1915

Here is Essanay's "big three," Francis X Bushman, Charles Chaplin and Broncho Billy Anderson. 

Motography, 23-January-1915

While they were in Chicago for the holidays, Broncho Billy and Charlie Chaplin danced the "Broncho Billy" waltz, while wearing their movie makeup.  "The dance was originated by Mr. Anderson and is one of the weirdest and funniest stunts on or off the stage."  I'll bet.

Moving Picture World, 30-January-1915

Essanay's list of "Greatest Screen Stars" included leading man Francis X Bushman, Wallace Beery in drag as Swedish maid "Sweedie," Broncho Billy Anderson, leading lady Beverly Bayne, Margaret Joslyn, who appeared in the Snakeville comedies and leading lady Ruth Stonehouse. 

Moving Picture World, 30-January-1915

This full-page Essanay ad says that Chaplin's first comedy for the company "His New Job" (good title) will be released February 1st.  "'It is the best I ever did,' says Chaplin." 

Motography, 30-January-1915

This item mentions that Chaplin and his comedy company left Chicago for Niles.  "It was at first planned to have the comedian work in the Chicago studio, but on account of the lack of available exterior locations the climatic conditions, it was thought best to return to the West."  It mentions that Ben Turpin and Leo White, who would become a Chaplin regular, were going along. 

Motography, 30-January-1915

Another edition of "Our Burg" says that Chaplin has shaken the dust of Chicago from this feet and headed back to sunny California.