His Regeneration

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.

Charlie the Little Tramp clowning with the crowd — Charlie the Little Tramp flirting

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 …

Dishonest Billy Bronco selling stolen goods to the pawnbrokers at the start of His Regeneration — Dishonest Billy Bronco selling stolen goods to the pawnbrokers at the start of *His Regeneration*

Young lady helps out Billy Bronco after his beating — Dishonest Billy Bronco selling stolen goods to the pawnbrokers at the start of *His Regeneration*

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 …

That night, Bronco Billy and his partner are robbing a house …

But Billy Bronco realizes they're robbing the young woman who helped him earlier! His partner doesn't *care*, and they fight - with deadly results. — That night, Bronco Billy and his partner are robbing a house …

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).