Charlie Chaplin’s Tramp is working as a tailor. He burns the pants of the rich Count whom he works for – Charlie is summarily fired. Finding a party invitation in the Count’s pants, Charlie’s ex-boss crashes the party disguised as the Count. He vies for Edna Purviance’s affections against Eric Campbell. And all is ruined when the real Count arrives.
The Count (2 reels) (1916) starring Charlie Chaplin, Eric Campbell, Edna Purviance
Synopsis
The Count begins with Charlie Chaplin the Little Tramp working as a tailor, trying to take the measurements of a lady. It’s a funny routine, as he’s taking measurements of her smile, the length from her ear to her neck, and mistakenly including a mannequin when measuring her waist. His boss, Eric Campbell, comes in and takes over, ordering Charlie to press a pair of pants belonging to a Count. Charlie interferes with Eric, and the customer leaves in a huff. If that’s not bad enough, Charlie ruins the pants! So Charlie is fired, and kicked out — literally.
While Charlie goes to a mansion, looking for a handout, the Tailor finds a note in the ruined pants pocket. It’s declining an invitation to a dance held by Mrs. Moneybags, hoping to invite the Count to meet her lovely daughter. So the Tailor decides to impersonate the Count, dresses up, and goes to the Moneybags mansion. Where Charlie’s trying to make time with the cook, who hides him from the butler in a garbage can! Along with a stinky piece of cheese …
The party begins …
Then, a policeman comes to call on the cook! So the policeman’s hidden in the garbage can, Charlie hides in the dumbwaiter, and stumbles upon his former boss impersonating the Count! The Tailor tells Charlie that he’s impersonating the Count, and that Charlie can pretend to be his secretary, so they can both attend. But Charlie turns the tables on him, introducing himself to the guests as the Count, and the Tailor as his secretary!
At the dinner, Charlie seats himself between the Tailor and the lovely Miss Moneybags, Edna Purviance. And he makes fun of the Tailor, who’s eating his soup very loudly. Then spaghetti is served, and both of them clown around with the food. Next, large slices of watermelon are served, and neither of them know how to eat it properly, embarrassing poor Miss Moneybags.
With the dinner over, Charlie gets up to attend the dance, with Miss Moneybags. When he’s caught trying to steal the silverware, he blames the poor Tailor! And the cook sees the Tramp arm-in-arm with her employer!
Chaos at the dance
While Charlie is distracted by a lovely young lady in a harem dancer costume, the Tailor dances with Miss Moneybags. But when Charlie returns, it’s his turn! And he dances with her in a zany, high-energy, clownish dance routine. Then it’s a contest as Charlie and the Tailor take turns kicking each other as they each dance with society ladies. Charlie takes her outside for a quiet moment, but the Tailor follows them, and tries to tell Charlie to stay away from her! It doesn’t work, of course. And then the real Count Broko shows up! While he’s calling the police on the imposters, Charlie starts a food fight — to impress the harem dancing girl — and after a chase, he runs away, ending the short film.
Cast of characters
- Eric Campbell (The Rink) … The Tailor
- Charlie Chaplin (City Lights) … His Assistant
- Edna Purviance (The Kid) … Miss Moneybags
Additional cast
- Albert Austin (The Cure) … Tall Guest (uncredited)
- Henry Bergman (A Day’s Pleasure) … Clown at the party(uncredited)
- Leota Bryan (The Rink) … Young Girl (uncredited)
- Frank J. Coleman (A Night in the Show) … Policeman (uncredited)
- James T. Kelley … Butler (uncredited)
- Charlotte Mineau (His New Job) … Mrs. Moneybags (uncredited)
- John Rand (The Idle Class) … Guest (uncredited)
- Eva Thatcher … Cook (uncredited)
- Loyal Underwood (A Day’s Pleasure) … Small Guest (uncredited)
- Leo White (The Champion) … Count Broko (uncredited)
- May White (A Night in the Show) … Large Lady (uncredited)