Chaplin's seventh film for the Mutual Film Corporation, which he edited, wrote, directed, and produced, was a satire on his slapstick utilizing his tried and true plot devices of being a put-upon poor soul who finds time for romance while creating chaos. This time the setting is behind the scenes at a film studio. Chaplin again plays an assistant handling props, much like he did in an earlier film. Eric Campbell again plays the Chaplin's browbeating foil. The film even has a risqué joke thrown in for good measure and is centered on the fact that Chaplin romances Edna Purviance while she's dressed as a guy. Chaplin makes a shambles of the film sets with moving a prop column back and forth between different sets while bopping other folks in the head with it. Other highlights include Chaplin gnawing on someone's lunch while alternately munching on bread and a huge pie throwing fight at the end. While there are a lot of funny moments in this film, it does not equal most of his other films for Mutual. **1/2 of 4 stars.
Review of Behind the Screen
