The Count (1916)
Charlie Chaplin's anarchic silent comedy short in which two impostors crash a high-society dance party with hilariously chaotic results.
The Count - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Count
- Release Year: 1916
- Directed by: Charlie Chaplin
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy
- Runtime: 24m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: No Language
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 4, 1916 (United States), February 16, 1918 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: A gróf (HU), Greven (SE), Almost a Gentleman (US), Charlot y el conde (ES), Le comte (BE), Valekreivi (FI), Contele (RO), Il conte (IT)
- Production Companies: Lone Star Corporation
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Count - Plot
A tailor's apprentice burns Count Broko's clothes while ironing them and the tailor fires him. Later, the tailor discovers a note explaining that the count cannot attend a dance party, so he dresses as such to take his place; but the apprentice has also gone to the mansion where the party is celebrated and bumps into the tailor in disguise…
The Count - Trailer
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The Count - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Charlie Chaplin
Main Cast
- Charlie Chaplin
- Edna Purviance
- Eric Campbell
- Leo White
- Henry Bergman
- Charlotte Mineau
- James T. Kelley
- Eva Thatcher
- Albert Austin
- John Rand
Writers
- Charlie Chaplin
- Vincent Bryan
- Maverick Terrell
Producers
- Charlie Chaplin
- Henry P. Caulfield
The Count - FAQs
Where can you watch The Count (1916)?
The Count (1916) is available to stream for free on Kanopy, a library-supported streaming platform. As a public domain silent short film, it may also be found on other free platforms such as YouTube and the Internet Archive, making it widely accessible without a paid subscription.
What is The Count (1916) about?
The Count follows a tailor's apprentice who accidentally ruins a nobleman's clothes and gets fired. Both he and his former employer separately decide to impersonate the absent Count Broko at a lavish dance party, leading to escalating slapstick chaos when they unexpectedly encounter each other at the mansion.
Who stars in The Count alongside Charlie Chaplin?
The Count features Edna Purviance as Miss Moneybags, Eric Campbell as the imposing Tailor, and Leo White as Count Broko. Other cast members include Henry Bergman, Charlotte Mineau, James T. Kelley, Eva Thatcher, Albert Austin, and John Rand, all frequent collaborators in Chaplin's Mutual Film shorts.
Did Charlie Chaplin direct and write The Count?
Yes. Charlie Chaplin directed, co-wrote, edited, and starred in The Count. He shared writing credit with Vincent Bryan and Maverick Terrell. Chaplin also co-produced the film alongside Henry P. Caulfield, demonstrating the extraordinary creative control he exercised over his Mutual Film Company short comedies.
Is The Count a silent film?
Yes. The Count (1916) is a silent short film with no spoken dialogue, produced during the era of silent cinema. It relies entirely on physical comedy, exaggerated gestures, and intertitles to tell its story. The film's humor is driven by Chaplin's masterful slapstick performance and precise comic timing.
How long is The Count (1916)?
The Count has a runtime of approximately 24 minutes, making it a short film typical of the two-reel comedy format that Charlie Chaplin perfected during his highly productive period at the Mutual Film Company in 1916.
When was The Count released?
The Count was released on September 4, 1916, in the United States. It later received a release in Spain on February 16, 1918. The film was one of twelve two-reel comedies Chaplin produced for the Mutual Film Company during 1916 and 1917, a period widely regarded as among his finest work.
What makes The Count a notable Chaplin short?
The Count is celebrated for its tightly constructed farce built around a classic mistaken-identity premise. Chaplin's physical comedy reaches a high point in the party sequences, where his Tramp character navigates high society with anarchic energy. The film showcases the brilliant ensemble chemistry he cultivated with his Mutual Film repertory company.
More About The Count
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