Chaplin - The Vagabond (film #23 in the Silent section of Movieflix). [Category: Early Film & TV]

The Little Tramp is a down-and-out violinist in this one. After an unsuccessful career as a street musician, he encounters an unfortunate young woman in a gypsy camp who is overworked and regularly beaten with a whip by the gypsy boss. He cleverly rescues her, along with one of the gypsy wagons. Later, she meets and befriends an artist who paints her portrait. When the portrait is displayed in an art show, it causes a sensation. Turns out the young woman was the daughter of a wealthy family who was stolen by the gypsies a long time ago, and when her mother sees the painting she recognizes her long-lost daughter. Charlie gallantly refuses a cash reward for finding her, even though he is flat broke, and it looks like he will be left alone and destitute, but at the last minute, the young woman insists that they go back and get them. This is one of the better Chaplins on this site. It has a lot of funny moments, especially during the scene where Charlie rescues the woman from the gypsies, and the basic story is genuinely touching. A 1916 Charlie Chaplin film.

Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: ***. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ****.