Author's Note--When we last saw the psychiatrist Dr. Freudine, her client Irish told her he would pick her up after her session with David to introduce her to Charlie Chaplin and his cats. If you want that link and the others, you will find them on my profile page (http://www.epinions.com/user-jankp).
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It isn't until halfway through the first short story of Chaplin's Essanay Comedies from 1915, called "His New Job," that I realize this could be a long, silent night. The incessant tinkle of the old-fashioned piano that takes the place of dialogue and other sounds is rather repetitive and lulling, so mixed with the simple physical gags of the auditioning story, I find myself troubled with the thought that silent comedies and I couldn't connect. Am I too much of a counselor and mind quack that I can't enjoy physical humor of a nonsexual crudeness?

I look over at Irish in an easy chair surrounded by three of his cats. He seems to be absorbed with the story of out-of-work actors competing very rudely for a job or else he has zoned out as I feel like doing.

The story only lasts about a half hour and the next story, "A Night Out," is much more to my liking. Maybe it is the different variations in music by another composer or simply a better story with Chaplin and a friend as drunks going out to eat, being thrown out and staying at a hotel with their eye on the ladies. I've started to notice changes in how well the film has been restored, going from black and white to a ghoulish blue tone when the actors go outside.

A calico cat jumps into my lap as the next story begins, called "The Champion." Suddenly I'm giggling as this 5"5' actor of slight build lines up to fight a champion pugilist (boxer) and because he sneaks a horseshoe into his glove, he clobbers the fella and becomes the one to beat. Chaplin really acts silly here with facial and body language. The next two, "In The Park" and "The Jitney Elopement" aren't as funny, but they're interesting for how the sexes flirted back then and marriages were arranged by parents. I could see where Snidely Whiplash's character came from!

Irish rises to change DVDs. "Ready for Volume 2? You sound like you're enjoying it."

"Yes, for the most part, but no dialogue takes adjusting to, even with occasional words on screen. So put in the next DVD. Your calico cat is purring!"

"Empathy. She can be distracting so feel free to shove her off." He changes the discs and returns to his chair. The story, "By The Sea," doesn't do much for me as Chaplin struggles to enjoy the beach, but gets tangled up with another clumsy fellow. "A Woman," though, is fascinating as Chaplin must disguise himself as a woman to be able to leave his girl's house. Without his little moustache he looks charming in a dress and floppy hat, batting his eyelashes and giving up attempts to keep his "breasts."

I think the next one, "Work," is rather political with Chaplin forced to push his boss up one mountain after another, which reminds me of the myth of Sisyphus who the gods condemned to rolling a stone up a hill for eternity. "The Bank" is pretty sad because his love strings him along for ultimate disappointment, but Chaplin and his favorite Essanay actress, Edna Purvience, are still sweet to watch. "The Tramp" becomes his signature character as the little fellow with baggy suspenders, a bowler hat and dusty shoes waddles in a way off into the sunset. I think he's adorable! Volume 2 then ends with a "guest appearance" not worth watching.

"So are you glad you watched them, Doc? Would you recommend them to friends?"

"Oh, well, I'm glad I watched them, but I'm not a movie critic. I have nothing else of Chaplin's to compare them with."

Irish bursts out with a wicked grin. "So you need a movie critic? How about a virtual one? Watch this. Nirry, well, this strange guy I know, gave my computer the ability to virtually bring any Epinions' members to me with the push of this key. I am the guinea pig and soon all members will have it to make sure we can "Meet and Greet" each other." He shows me the key as I step closer to his computer, frowning.

"How about the these guys?" he suggests. "Marc, Shannon, would you come here, please?" Immediately the air flickers and a young man eating a slice of pizza and a young woman half-dressed appear like see-through ghosts.

"Oh, Shannon, I'm sorry to catch you at a bad time! We just need to know if you recommend the newly restored Chaplin's Essanay Comedies from 1915."

She looks bewildered for a few moments, but soon breaks out laughing. "You've got to be kidding me! Irish asking me? Are you trying for a hat?" She doubles over laughing and he sighs as she and her heaving breasts dissolve from view. He eyes the munching Marc.

"Hey, don't look at me. The average moviegoer would probably want to skip his early work 'cause they, first of all, don't appreciate silent films and, second, don't appreciate watching the evolution of a comic genius, but I would still recommend them 'cause I see the genius that's there and if they can't, that's their problem. Even if most of these stories aren't his best, I love their attempts to be great, just like with The LXG."

Irish glances at me. I peer at Marc who munches away, oblivious to me. I may have found a likely candidate for therapy. "I'm just a psychiatrist," I begin, catching his attention, "and not a movie critic, so could you translate that into normal language?"

At that Marc glares and poofs away. Irish and I laugh so hard we fall back onto a soft couch. "I guess I'll recommend it to Chaplin fans, okay?"

"Sounds good to me, darlin'," he murmurs, giving me a high five.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8