![Gentlemen of Nerve (1914) starring Charlie Chaplin, Chester Conklin, Mabel Normand, Mack Swain Gentlemen of Nerve (1914) starring Charlie Chaplin, Chester Conklin, Mabel Normand, Mack Swain](https://i0.wp.com/famousclowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/gentlemen-of-nerve-cover.jpg?resize=600%2C381&ssl=1)
Gentlemen of Nerve (1914) starring Charlie Chaplin, Chester Conklin, Mabel Normand, Mack Swain
Gentlemen of Nerve is a 1914 Keystone one reel silent comedy short film. It stars Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand, Chester Conklin, Mack Swain as four people attending an auto race. Of course, slapstick conflict develops.
![Mabel Norrmand notices Chester Conklin noticing the Flirty Woman](https://i0.wp.com/famousclowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/mabel-normand-chester-conklin-flirty-woman.png?resize=678%2C485&ssl=1)
In Gentlemen of Nerve, Mabel and Chester Conklin go to an auto race. As they enter, Mack Swain tries to flirt with Mabel. All he gets is a kick in the pants by Chester. Once seated, Chester is flattered by attention from a flirty woman. He even goes so far as to pass her a note! Jealous Mabel doesn’t appreciate this, and has them move … Stomping the flirty woman’s foot in the process!
![Charlie Chaplin helping Mack Swain sneaking through the fence in Gentlemen of Nerve](https://i0.wp.com/famousclowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/mack-swain-charlie-chaplin-sneaking-fence.png?resize=678%2C482&ssl=1)
In the meanwhile, Charlie Chaplin arrives, and is coerced to help Mack Swain sneak into the auto race via a hole in the fence. But Mack’s a big man, and he gets stuck. Charlie pushing, pulling, etc. Mack through the hole is arguably the funniest part of the movie. Complete with Seltzer bottle.
![Charlie Chaplin engaging in a fight with the spectators](https://i0.wp.com/famousclowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/charlie-chaplin-fights-with-spectators-fence.png?resize=678%2C480&ssl=1)
Once inside, Charlie’s antagonistic nature kicks in, and starts a fight with Chester. After Mabel hurries Chester off, Charlie begins a fight with spectators behind a fence. Another very funny scene.
![Charlie and Mabel at the end - sitting sweetly, even though she refuses his kiss](https://i0.wp.com/famousclowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/charlie-chaplin-mabel-normand-conclusion.png?resize=678%2C479&ssl=1)
One more Charlie-inspired conflict ends with Charlie sitting sweetly next to Mabel — even though she’s destroyed his hat. And Mack and Chester are led off by policeman Edgar Kennedy, apparently for disturbing the peace.
Cast of characters
- Charlie Chaplin – Mr. Wow-Woe. Charlie the Little Tramp, instigating fights and flirting with pretty girls.
- Mabel Normand – Mabel
- Chester Conklin (Dough and Dynamite) – Mr. Walrus
- Mack Swain (The Gold Rush) – Ambrose
- Phyllis Allen (A Night in the Show) – Flirty woman
- Edgar Kennedy (Duck Soup) – Policeman
[Updated September 2, 2023]