Mabel at the Wheel – Mabel at the Wheel, starring Mabel Normand, Charlie Chaplin, originally released April 18, 1914
In Mabel at the Wheel, Charlie Chaplin is not playing his familiar tramp clown, but a generic movie villain. The basic premise has the villainous Charlie trying to win a race by hook or crook, as well as trying to impress Mabel Normand. At the time, she was one of Keystone’s biggest stars. But he drops her in a puddle instead.
He later locks up his racing rival (Mabel’s boyfriend), forcing Mabel to take his place, with Charlie still trying to cheat his way to the finish line.
However, Mabel wins in the end – shades of Penelope Pittstop.
A cute film, but more of interest for historical than comedic reasons. Keystone players Mack Sennet, Chester Conklin, Mack Swain appear as well.
Trivia about Mabel at the Wheel starring Charlie Chaplin
Also released as:
- A Hot Finish (USA)
- Charlie på motortävlingen (Sweden)
- His Daredevil Queen
- Mabel al volante (Spain)
- Mabel y el auto infernal (Spain)
Cast of characters
- Charlie Chaplin … Villain
- Mabel Normand (Gentlemen of Nerve) … Mabel
- Harry McCoy (The Masquerader) … Mabel’s Boyfriend
- Chester Conklin (Dough and Dynamite) … Mabel’s Father
- Mack Sennett (His New Job … Reporter / Newsreel Director
- Dave Anderson … Henchman
- Joe Bordeaux (Coney Island) … Dubious Character
- Mack Swain (Laughing Gas) … Spectator at Races
- William Hauber (Tango Tangles) … Mabel’s co-driver
Additional Cast
- Dan Albert (The Masquerader) … Cheering Spectator
- Charles Avery (Tango Tangles) … Spectator in Grandstand
- Ada Baumann … Mabel’s friend and race spectator
- Charley Chase (Sons of the Desert) … Race Spectator
- Alice Davenport (Caught in the Rain) … Spectator in Grandstand
- Minta Durfee (Cruel, Cruel Love) … Spectator in Grandstand
- Edgar Kennedy (Unaccustomed As We Are) … Spectator in Grandstand
- Charles Lakin … Cheering Spectator
- Grover Ligon (Making a Living) … Henchman
- Fred Mace … Dubious character
- Edward Nolan (Recreation) … Spectator
- Fred Wagner … Race Starter