A Burlesque on Carmen – Charlie Chaplin spoofs the opera Carmen with Edna Purviance. As the “incorruptible” soldier!
Carmen (released by Essanay in 1916 as Charlie Chaplin’s Burlesque on Carmen) (4 reels) (1916)
A parody of the famous opera (and, at the time, hit movie) Carmen. Charlie Chaplin’s not playing the Little Tramp here, although there are definite similarities. Here, he’s playing the “incorruptible” Darn Hosiery, who’s guarding a hole in the wall with his soldiers. Their job is to keep smugglers out of the city. And Carmen’s job is to distract, or corrupt, him so that the smugglers can get in!
It’s a funny silent short comedy, with lots of slapstick interactions. Charlie won’t take a bribe — but he’ll pick it out of the smuggler’s pocket when he’s not looking! He fights with virtually everyone over Carmen. But eventually, she coerces him, the smugglers go in, and she discards him like a used tissue.
Heartbroken, Charlie tracks her down, confronts her, and — kills her! And then himself. Which frankly surprised me, for a Charlie Chaplin comedy. But wait! Neither of them are dead, it was a prop knife, as he demonstrates to the audience.
Cast of characters
- Charlie Chaplin (The Rink, Limelight) … Officer Darn Hosiery
- Edna Purviance (The Pilgrim, The Kid) … Carmen – the Gypsy
- Ben Turpin (The Champion, His New Job) … Remendados – The Smuggler
Additional cast
- Lawrence A. Bowes (A Night in the Show) … Soldier (uncredited)
- Frank J. Coleman (The Count) … Soldier (uncredited)
- Fred Goodwins (A Night in the Show) … Gypsy (uncredited)
- Jack Henderson (The Ridin‘ Fool) … Pastia – Tavern Keeper (uncredited)
- Bud Jamison (The Champion, A Pain in the Pullman) … Soldier of the Guard (uncredited)
- John Rand (The Cure) … Escamillo – a Toreador (uncredited)
- Wesley Ruggles (The Pawnshop) … A Vagabond (uncredited)
- Leo White (The Champion) … Corporal Morales (uncredited)
- May White (A Night in the Show) … Frasquita (uncredited)