Behind the Screen (1916) is a silent comedy short written, directed by, and starring Charlie Chaplin, produced during his Mutual Film period. Set inside a bustling silent‑era movie studio, the film satirizes the chaotic world of early filmmaking while delivering classic slapstick sequences, including prop‑based gags, trap‑door mishaps, and a raucous pie‑throwing fight.
Chaplin plays David, an overworked stagehand who clashes with his massive supervisor, Goliath, while helping a young woman disguised as a male stagehand find work in the studio. As striking workers plot to blow up the set, David and the girl become entangled in escalating comedic mayhem. Behind the Screen is notable for its inventive physical comedy, its playful parody of Keystone‑style slapstick, and a rare moment of gender‑disguise humor unusual for American cinema of the time.
Film Details Title: Behind the Screen Year: 1916 Genre: Silent Comedy / Slapstick Director: Charlie Chaplin (with Edward Brewer as technical director) Producer: Henry P. Caulfield Written by: Charlie Chaplin, Vincent Bryan, Maverick Terrell Starring: Charlie Chaplin as David Edna Purviance as The Girl Eric Campbell as Goliath Albert Austin as Stagehand (uncredited) Runtime: Approx. 23 minutes Studio: Mutual Film Corporation Country: United States Format: Silent, Black‑and‑white
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