Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1629, 26 October 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

Read This Criticism By One Who Knows “ THE SHOPWALKER.” FirSl Mutual-Chaplin Comedy Reviewed by Thomas C. Kennedy. NLIKE the athlete who requires training to reach the top of his form after a rest, Charlie Chaplin returned to the studio following a vacation during which he had nothing to do but listen to salary offers, and in good time completed a two-reel comedy which, when screened, showed him to be in the pink-of his fun making condition. Using all the available material for comedy business a department store boasts, and it is considerable, and adding a few of his own deft strokes, Chaplin succeeded in producing a comedy that will come up to the expectations of his host of followers, as high as those expectations are. The slapstick comedian's material has great limitations, but Chaplin can do things that have been done time and time again and still be funny whde (Icing them. When “ The Shopwalker ” is shown at the various theatres it will he ound that he will get his biggest laugh while performing on: the escalator, and yet it is probable that the majority in the audience have seen comedians on escalators in many other screen comedies. The amount of comic he goes through on the escalator is remarkable ; the episode is i ghly diverting even if the idea is now somewhat old. Those who insist on novelty will find it in certain parts of this Mutual-Chaplin release. In this picture Chaplin has an opportunity to become “ Czar of the Aisles.” in other words he accepts a job as shopwalker in a department store. The manager attempts to rob the safe, and there is much ado about the bag containing the reams of engraved paper. Just what " The Shopwalker " is all about does not make much difference, its two reels are punctuated with laughs of number and quality to suit the fans. Edna Purviance is the most attractive of the supporting cast, and the others are good,-.