THE COUNT is the fifth of twelve shorts Charlie Chaplin made for Mutual. After the drama filled short THE VAGABOND and the basic solo act that was ONE A.M., we’re back to a normal comedy with Chaplin working with a big cast. The results are a perfectly fine comedy short. For the people who like to look at class differences in Chaplin films, there’s plenty to see and for those of us who like our comedy, there’s plenty to laugh at.
The class stuff. Admittedly not my main thing but even I can see the layers of it here. Starts out with Chaplin and his boss at the suit shop, played by Eric Campbell and his epic facial hair. Both are low on the totem pole, but Campbell a tad higher. Campbell sees a note in one of his customer’s suits that’s an invitation to a swanky party, so he takes it to advance himself socially under false pretense. Chaplin happens to be at the party because that’s where his maid girlfriend is. A game of chess ensues between Chaplin and Campbell about their hierarchy on the guest list, with Chaplin doing the outsmarting.
Speaking of hierarchy, Chaplin’s lady situation falls into this category. His actual girlfriend is the maid. When he convinces the party he is a count, he is able to flirt with the stately Edna, who has money. Chaplin also encounters this young female party guest who has a very pronounced wiggle in her walk, so Chaplin chases after her. In the end, for all Chaplin’s pretenses about trying to be high class, his lowly desires take over as he acts so smitten with the young girl he starts smacking pastry with his cane into the faces of guests - his emotions coming out like a giddy school boy, leading to a huge chase that disrupts the party. Very much like The Three Stooges in HOI POLLOI. The low comic can act like high society for so long, his true nature will come out. The female party guest brought it out, though his table manners hinted at things to come.
Some comic highlights are the opening measuring scene, which I think is hysterical. The measuring of cheekbones, fingers, lips - Chaplin clearly didn’t know what he was doing. The chase at the end is classic physical Chaplin. Slipping and sliding all over the place, ducking under people, giving people mule kicks - this is Chaplin at his young and physical comic prime. A really fun short overall.