Shanghaied (1915) starring Charlie Chaplin, Edna Purviance
After his romance with the shipowner’s daughter is scuttled, Charlie the little tramp is hired to shanghai a crew. Only to be shanghaied himself as well!
Synopsis of Shanghaied
Shanghaied begins with a ship owner, telling his captain to scuttle the ship on its next voyage, so he can collect the insurance money. Shortly after, Charlie Chaplin the little tramp is having a romantic rendezvous with Edna Purviance — the shipowner’s daughter. The shipowner breaks up the romance, breaking both of the lovebirds’ hearts.
Next, Charlie is offered the princely sum of $3.00 to help sailor Bud Jamison to Shanghai a crew, to work that same ship. Charlie does so, hiding in a barrel and conking each prospective sailor on the head with a mallet. Following the Rule of Three, they do this three times — before Bud does the same to Charlie!
On the ship
Unlike the similar Laurel and Hardy film, The Live Ghost, the other sailors don’t take their anger out on Charlie. Probably because they don’t have time, between the Captain beating them into submission, and Charlie accidentally dunking them into the ocean with a winch – repeatedly.
Of course, Charlie’s never worked on a ship, and mistakes will happen. Like “washing” the dishes in soup! And serving dishwater to the Captain as soup! Not to mention fighting with the cook in the kitchen.
Dynamite!
Then a storm hits, Charlie gets seasick while trying to eat, etc. But wait! Brokenhearted Edna has stowed away on board! And the Captain’s lit a box of dynamite to blow up the ship! Thankfully, Edna’s father’s found the note that she left behind, and he’s on the way to save her. And, Charlie finds Edna, and throws the lit dynamite overboard …. Right into the Captain’s escaping rowboat!
The ship owner, Edna’s father, shows up in a commandeered speed boat, to rescue Edna. Is he proud of Charlie? Not on your life! He orders the Little Tramp out of the speedboat. Charlie complies — but swims under the boat, comes up the other side, and kick the shipowner into the water! And he and Edna speed off, ending the short film.
Review
I enjoyed Shanghai, but not as much as some of Charlie Chaplin’s other silent short films. For me, the highlights were his working in the galley — and fighting with John Rand — and accidentally dropping various crew members overboard with the winch. As always, your mileage may vary. 😉 Enjoy!
Cast of characters
- Charlie Chaplin (The Count, Limelight) … Tramp
- Billy Armstrong (The Champion) … First Shanghaied Seaman (uncredited)
- Lawrence A. Bowes (A Night in the Show) … Mate (uncredited)
- Fred Goodwins (A Burlesque on Carmen) … Cabin Boy in Coveralls (uncredited)
- Lee Hill (The Bank) … Sailor in Rain Hat (uncredited)
- Bud Jamison (The Champion, A Ducking They Did Go) … Second Mate – The Other Man (uncredited)
- Paddy McGuire (A Night in the Show) … Second Shanghaied Seaman (uncredited)
- Edna Purviance (The Kid) … Daughter of the Shipowner (uncredited)
- John Rand (The Cure) … Ship’s Cook (uncredited)
- Wesley Ruggles (The Pawnshop) … Shipowner (uncredited)
- Leo White (His New Job) … Third Shanghaied Seaman (uncredited)