The Floorwalker (1916)
Charlie Chaplin's first Mutual short: a penniless Tramp, a department store, and a perfectly timed doppelgänger routine.
The Floorwalker - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Floorwalker
- Release Year: 1916
- Directed by: Charlie Chaplin
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 28m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Release Date (Theatrical): May 15, 1916 (United States), March 3, 1918 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: Charlie im Warenhaus (DE), Контролер универмага (RU), Kolme konnaa samoilla markkinoilla (FI), Butikschefen (SE), Ο σωσίας (GR), Chaplin i Stormagasinet (DK), Charlot en la tienda (ES), Az áruházi felügyelő (HU)
- Production Companies: Lone Star Corporation
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Floorwalker - Plot
An impecunious customer creates chaos in a department store while the manager and his assistant plot to steal the money kept in the establishment's safe.
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The Floorwalker - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Charlie Chaplin
Main Cast
- Charlie Chaplin
- Eric Campbell
- Edna Purviance
- Lloyd Bacon
- Charlotte Mineau
- Albert Austin
- Leo White
- Frank J. Coleman
- James T. Kelley
- Henry Bergman
Writers
- Charlie Chaplin
- Maverick Terrell
- Vincent Bryan
Producers
- Henry P. Caulfield
- Charlie Chaplin
The Floorwalker - FAQs
What is The Floorwalker about?
The Floorwalker follows Charlie Chaplin's penniless Tramp as he wanders into a busy department store and accidentally stumbles into a robbery plot. The film blends slapstick chaos with a memorable doppelgänger twist, as the Tramp discovers he's the spitting image of the scheming assistant manager.
What is the doppelgänger twist in The Floorwalker?
One of the film's cleverest gags is the moment the Tramp comes face to face with Lloyd Bacon's assistant manager — his exact double. The two mirror each other in a brilliantly choreographed routine, and the lookalike device drives much of the film's comic confusion and escalating chaos.
Where can you stream The Floorwalker for free?
You can watch The Floorwalker for free on Kanopy. Since the film is in the public domain, it's widely accessible through library-affiliated streaming services. Kanopy is a great option if you have a library card — no subscription fee required.
Is The Floorwalker Charlie Chaplin's first Mutual film?
Yes! The Floorwalker was the very first short Chaplin produced under his landmark deal with Mutual Film Corporation, which is reflected in the tagline "I am now with Mutual." The Mutual period (1916–1917) is widely regarded as one of the most creatively fertile stretches of his career.
Who are the main cast members in The Floorwalker?
Charlie Chaplin leads as the Impecunious Customer, joined by the imposing Eric Campbell as the Store Manager and Edna Purviance as the Manager's Secretary. Lloyd Bacon plays the scheming Assistant Manager, with Charlotte Mineau, Albert Austin, and Leo White rounding out the ensemble.
How long is The Floorwalker?
The Floorwalker runs just 28 minutes — a perfectly compact silent comedy short. At under half an hour, it's an ideal introduction to Chaplin's early work, packing in escalator gags, a robbery subplot, and a doppelgänger routine without a moment wasted.
Is The Floorwalker based on a true story?
No, The Floorwalker is an entirely fictional comedy. Chaplin co-wrote the original screenplay with Maverick Terrell and Vincent Bryan, drawing on the era's popular slapstick tradition. The department store setting was a familiar, relatable backdrop for audiences of the time.
What films are similar to The Floorwalker?
If you enjoy The Floorwalker, check out other Chaplin shorts like The Tramp (1915) and A Burlesque on Carmen (1915), or the classic silent comedy Safety Last! (1923). For store-set comedies, Who's Minding the Store? (1963) and The Big Store (1941) are fun companions.
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