By the Sea
Plot
In this Chaplin short comedy, the Tramp arrives at a windy seaside resort where chaos quickly ensues. After getting into a tussle with one of two vacationing husbands over a bench, Charlie attempts to woo the wife while the two men argue over an ice cream cone. The husband drives Charlie away, leading him to turn his attentions to the other man's wife, creating further comedic complications. The windy conditions add to the physical comedy as hats blow away and characters struggle against the elements. The film culminates in a series of misunderstandings and slapstick confrontations typical of Chaplin's early work, with the Tramp eventually being chased away by both husbands.
About the Production
This was one of twelve short comedies Chaplin made for Essanay Studios during his one-year contract in 1915. The film was shot on location at the seaside to capture authentic coastal atmosphere, which was somewhat unusual for the period when most films were shot on studio backlots. The windy conditions proved challenging for the production but ultimately enhanced the comedic effect of the film.
Historical Background
1915 was a pivotal year in cinema history, occurring during the transition from short films to feature-length productions. World War I was raging in Europe, though the United States remained neutral, and films provided escapist entertainment for anxious audiences. The film industry was rapidly consolidating, with studios like Essanay competing fiercely for talent like Chaplin, who was becoming one of the world's first international movie stars. This period also saw the development of more sophisticated film grammar and storytelling techniques, with comedies moving beyond simple slapstick to incorporate more nuanced character development. The seaside resort setting reflected the growing popularity of beach vacations among the middle class, a relatively new social phenomenon in the early 20th century.
Why This Film Matters
'By the Sea' represents an important transitional work in Chaplin's filmography, showcasing his evolution from pure slapstick toward more character-driven comedy. The film demonstrates how Chaplin was refining the Tramp character, giving him more personality and motivation beyond mere physical comedy. The seaside setting also reflects the democratization of leisure in early 20th century America, as beach vacations became accessible to working and middle classes. The film's preservation and continued study by film scholars highlights its importance in understanding Chaplin's artistic development and the evolution of American comedy cinema. It remains a valuable example of early two-reel comedy format that would eventually give way to feature films.
Making Of
The production of 'By the Sea' took place during a particularly creative period in Chaplin's career when he was rapidly developing his Tramp character. Filming at an actual beach location presented challenges for the crew, including dealing with unpredictable weather and protecting the expensive film equipment from sand and saltwater. Chaplin was known for his meticulous attention to detail and would often shoot dozens of takes of simple gags to perfect the timing. The ice cream cone sequence reportedly took several hours to film as Chaplin experimented with different ways to make the melting treat create maximum comedic effect. The film was made during Chaplin's contentious time with Essanay Studios, as he was already planning to leave for a more lucrative contract with Mutual Films.
Visual Style
The cinematography by Harry Ensign and Roland Totheroh made effective use of the natural seaside location, incorporating the ocean and sky as visual elements in the comedy. The camera work was relatively static, typical of the period, but the filmmakers took advantage of the wide open spaces of the beach to allow for more expansive physical comedy sequences. The use of natural light created a bright, cheerful atmosphere that contrasted nicely with the chaotic action. The windy conditions, while challenging for the production, added visual interest with blowing sand and clothing, enhancing the comedic effect.
Innovations
While not groundbreaking technically, 'By the Sea' demonstrated Chaplin's growing sophistication in using location shooting to enhance comedy. The film's use of wind machines to create the breezy beach atmosphere was relatively innovative for the time. The editing by Chaplin himself showed improved pacing and rhythm compared to his earlier work, with better integration of multiple gags into a cohesive narrative. The film also demonstrated Chaplin's mastery of the two-reel format, using the extended running time to develop slightly more complex situations than in his earlier one-reel shorts.
Music
As a silent film, 'By the Sea' would have been accompanied by live music in theaters during its original release. The typical score would have been provided by a house pianist or small orchestra, often using popular songs of the day and classical pieces appropriate to the action. For the seaside setting, music hall songs about the beach or nautical themes might have been used. Modern restorations of the film have been scored by various composers, including Carl Davis, who created a period-appropriate score that captures the playful, breezy atmosphere of the original.
Famous Quotes
(Intertitle) The Tramp: 'A fine day for the sea... if you're a fish!'
Memorable Scenes
- The iconic ice cream cone sequence where Chaplin struggles to eat his melting treat while being hassled by the two jealous husbands, creating a masterful display of physical comedy as the ice cream drips and splatters in increasingly ridiculous ways.
Did You Know?
- This was one of the few Chaplin films that featured his real-life brother Sydney Chaplin in a minor uncredited role as one of the beachgoers.
- The film was shot in just two days, which was typical for Chaplin's short comedies of this period.
- Billy Armstrong, who plays one of the husbands, was a regular collaborator with Chaplin at Essanay and appeared in several of his films.
- Margie Reiger, who plays one of the wives, was a stage actress before transitioning to films and this was one of her earliest screen appearances.
- The ice cream cone gag was considered somewhat risqué for 1915, as ice cream cones were still relatively new and not commonly depicted in films.
- Chaplin reused the seaside setting in several later films, most notably in his 1917 feature 'The Immigrant'.
- The film was originally titled 'The Seaside' but was changed to 'By the Sea' just before release.
- Only one print of the film was known to survive for many decades, until a second copy was discovered in a European archive in the 1970s.
- The windy beach setting was achieved using large fans and wind machines, some of the earliest uses of such equipment in filmmaking.
- Chaplin reportedly got seasick during filming despite being on the beach rather than on water.
What Critics Said
Contemporary reviews in 1915 praised the film for its fresh setting and clever gags, with Variety noting that 'Chaplin makes the most of the seaside atmosphere to create new variations on his established comedy style.' Modern critics view the film as an important stepping stone in Chaplin's artistic development, with the British Film Institute describing it as 'a minor but charming work that shows Chaplin experimenting with location shooting and more sophisticated comedic situations.' The film is generally regarded by scholars as better than average for Chaplin's Essanay period, though not reaching the artistic heights he would achieve later at Mutual and United Artists.
What Audiences Thought
The film was well-received by audiences in 1915, who were eager for new Chaplin comedies following his massive success with 'The Tramp' earlier that year. The seaside setting was particularly popular with urban audiences who dreamed of beach vacations. Contemporary theater owners reported good attendance for the film, with many noting that it played well in both urban and rural venues. Modern audiences who view the film in retrospectives and Chaplin festivals generally appreciate it as an example of early Chaplin work, though it's often overshadowed by his more famous later films.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Mack Sennett comedies
- Music hall tradition
- French farce
- Commedia dell'arte
This Film Influenced
- The Rink (1916)
- The Immigrant (1917)
- The Circus (1928)
- Modern Times (1936)
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Film Restoration
The film is preserved in the collections of the Library of Congress and the British Film Institute. Multiple prints exist, though some show varying degrees of deterioration. The film has been restored several times, most recently in 2012 as part of the Chaplin at Essanay collection restoration project. The restored versions feature improved image stability and corrected frame rates that better reflect the original projection speed.