Chaplin's eleventh film for the Mutual Film Corporation, which he edited, wrote, produced, and directed highlights the experiences of early twentieth century immigrants. A group of European immigrants heads to the United States aboard a ship. On the way, there are many sight gags and slapstick moments, such as the swaying of the ship (which is highly exaggerated), the card shuffling, and the mealtime musical chairs with the dishes. The New York harbor scene is especially poignant, as Chaplin himself was an immigrant only a few years before. Many of the shipboard experiences in the film probably echo his own during his immigration to the United States. Chaplin helps a woman and her daughter aboard ship and later meets the same daughter in a restaurant where he has dinner with her. However, Chaplin must figure out a way to pay for their dinners because he comes up short of cash. Meanwhile, another customer gets the works from the establishment, headed by waiter Eric Campbell, for not paying up. Chaplin spies a coin on the floor, and he has to quickly pocket it before anyone else sees it. This comical scene is the highlight of the film. Chaplin bumps into an artist who hires Chaplin and Edna Purviance (the daughter) as models, and Chaplin gets the guy to pay an advance. He then uses this advance to force Edna to marry him. This is a combination of the immigrant experience and the determination to survive and make good with a comic bent of course. *** of 4 stars.
Review of The Immigrant
