I decided to watch this film for one specific reason: it’s the first film in which Charlie Chaplin appears. For that, it’s noteworthy, but strictly on its own merit it is a forgettable film. It runs for just under 13 minutes, during which time it gallops along through a number of only loosely connected moments. Chaplin, who I would not have recognized had I not known he was the star of the film, looks young and gawky. For some vague reason, he kept reminding me of the ‘80s pop star Prince, likely due to his head seeming too large for his short and slender body and the fact that he sported a a long, curved mustache rather than the toothbrush style he’d famously wear later in his career.
He spends the duration of the film sparring with Henry Lehrman, who not only directed the film, but co-starred as Chaplin’s nemesis. The film opens with their chance encounter on a sidewalk, at which point Chaplin asks to borrow money from Lehrman, who refuses him. They part ways, only to run into each other again later that day. This time, Chaplin has proposed marriage to a girl, who has accepted. Lehrman shows up, and we learn he’s been courting the same girl. They two men scuffle, before parting ways. Later, Chaplin responds to a help wanted sign and applies for a job as a newspaper reporter only to find that Lehrman is a reporter for the same paper, and he quickly convinces his boss not to hire Chaplin. Next, Lehrman witnesses a car crash. He takes some pictures, and some notes, but Chaplin happens along and steals his notes and camera, which he takes to the newspaper and is granted an exclusive. Lehrman shows up and the two have yet another fight, this time involving the Keystone Cops, a staple of the Keystone Films Company, and some random civilians. The film ends with them stuck on the cowcatcher of a street car. All in all, it is very haphazard, and relies far too heavily on coincidence to set up its scenes. Chaplin isn’t bad, but he isn’t great. I’ll cut him some slack, what with it being his first motion picture and all.
Making a Living first played in theaters on February 2nd, 1914. As I don’t own a copy, I had to watch it on YouTube. You can watch it below.
Next I’m watching: Kid Auto Races at Venice [1914], directed by Henry Lehrman.
Making a Living (Feb. 2, 1914)