In “His Regeneration“, a rough criminal gets into an argument over a girl in a dance hall. A lady helps him, and later during a burglary, he tries to repay her kindness. American silent comedy film made by Essanay Studios. It featured Charlie Chaplin in an uncredited role as a customer.
His Regeneration (1915) starring Broncho Billy Anderson, with Charlie Chaplin
Chaplin made a guest appearance in this one-reel G.M. “Broncho Billy” Anderson drama, as the Tramp in the film’s dance-hall sequence.
On a more serious note, the dishonest Bronco Billy is selling stolen items to a pawnbroker. Afterward, there’s a fight over a woman, where Bronco Billy is badly beaten. And a different young lady comes to his rescue …
But that night, when Bronco Billy and his partner are burglarizing a home — Billy realizes it’s the home of the young lady who helped him earlier! And he has a decision to make …
Anderson was “slightly assisted by Charles Chaplin,” suggesting that Chaplin may have had a hand in the construction and direction of the film as well. The plot of the drama bears a close resemblance to the story used in Chaplin’s “Police.”
Cast of characters
- Gilbert M. ‘Broncho Billy’ Anderson … The Regenerate (as G.M.Anderson)
- Lee Willard … His Partner
- Marguerite Clayton … The Girl
- Hazel Applegate … The Maid
- Charlie Chaplin (The Great Dictator) … A Customer
Additional cast
- Lloyd Bacon (In The Park) … The Saloon Girl’s Companion (uncredited)
- Robert Burroughs … (uncredited)
- Joe Cassidy … (uncredited)
- Bill Cato … First Cop at House (uncredited)
- Florence Cato … (uncredited)
- Madrona Hicks … (uncredited)
- Bud Jamison (Three Little Beers) … (uncredited)
- Robert McKenzie (Saps at Sea) … The Waiter (uncredited)
- Belle Mitchell (Bliss) … The Saloon Girl (uncredited)
- ‘Snub’ Pollard (From Hand to Mouth) … Extra (uncredited)
- Victor Potel (The Sin of Harold Diddlebock) … Pawn Shop Clerk (uncredited)
- Warren Sawyer … (uncredited)
- Harry Todd … (uncredited)
- Carrie Turpin … (uncredited)
- Darr Wittenmyer … Second Cop at House (uncredited)
- Henry Youngman … (uncredited)
Trivia
- Charlie Chaplin, who appears uncredited as a customer in the bar, was a business associate of ‘G.M. Anderson’. Anderson appeared in a cameo in Chaplin’s film The Champion (1915).