The Floorwalker is a classic silent film from 1916 that is known for starring the iconic comedian and actor Charles Chaplin. It is also notable for being the first film Chaplin made under his groundbreaking contract with Mutual Film Corporation, which gave him unprecedented creative control over his work. The film was directed by Chaplin himself and co-starred Eric Campbell and Edna Purviance.
The story of The Floorwalker is a classic Chaplin tale of a hapless and penniless tramp who gets into all sorts of trouble while trying to get by in the world. In this case, Chaplin's character finds himself working as a floorwalker in a department store, where he clashes with the store's scheming manager, played by Campbell. Along the way, he also falls in love with a beautiful shopgirl (Purviance) and tries to help her with her financial problems.
One of the most memorable scenes from The Floorwalker takes place early on in the film, when Chaplin's character gets stuck in the revolving door of the department store. This scene is a classic example of Chaplin's physical comedy, as he uses his signature exaggerated movements and expressions to turn a mundane situation into a laugh-out-loud moment.
Another standout scene from The Floorwalker is the film's climax, which takes place during a chaotic chase sequence through the department store. The chase involves Chaplin, Campbell, and Purviance, as well as a variety of other characters and props, including a taxidermy lion, a runaway elevator, and a pile of mattresses. The scene is a tour-de-force of physical comedy and stuntwork, and is still impressive to watch today.
Overall, The Floorwalker is a classic silent film that showcases Charles Chaplin's unique brand of physical comedy and creative storytelling. Its themes of class struggle and romance are timeless, and its comedic set pieces are still able to delight audiences over a century later. If you are a fan of classic cinema, or of Chaplin's work in particular, The Floorwalker is a must-see film that remains as entertaining today as it was when it was first released in 1916.
The Floorwalker is a 1916 comedy with a runtime of 29 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.
