His New Job

Plot

In this comedy short, Charlie arrives at a movie studio seeking work as an extra. When one of the actors fails to appear for the day's filming, the director gives Charlie his big chance to replace him. While waiting for his scene, Charlie disrupts the set by playing dice with other crew members, annoying everyone around him with his antics. When finally given his moment in front of the camera, Charlie's nervousness and clumsiness lead to disaster as he accidentally destroys the elaborate set and tears the dress of the film's leading lady, causing chaos on the set and earning the wrath of the entire production crew.

Historical Background

1915 was a transformative year in American cinema, with the industry shifting from short one-reel films to longer features and two-reel comedies. The film industry was consolidating, with studios like Essanay, Keystone, and Mutual competing for talent and audiences. World War I was raging in Europe, but American cinema was experiencing a golden age of creativity and innovation. Chaplin was becoming an international phenomenon, with his films being distributed worldwide. The film industry was also moving its center from the East Coast to Hollywood, though Chicago remained an important production center. This period saw the rise of the star system, with actors like Chaplin becoming major draws and commanding unprecedented salaries. The technical aspects of filmmaking were rapidly evolving, with better cameras, lighting, and editing techniques becoming standard.

Making Of

The making of 'His New Job' represented a pivotal moment in Chaplin's career as he transitioned from the chaotic Keystone environment to the more structured Essanay Studios. Chaplin had significant creative control, which was unusual for the time, and he used this freedom to develop his character more deeply. The film's behind-the-scenes setting was inspired by Chaplin's own experiences in the movie industry. During production, Chaplin reportedly clashed with Essanay management over creative differences, foreshadowing his eventual departure from the studio. The winter conditions in Chicago made filming challenging, but the indoor studio scenes allowed for more elaborate sets than Chaplin had previously worked with. Ben Turpin's involvement was particularly significant as he was one of the few established comedians willing to work with the rising star without top billing.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'His New Job' represented a significant advancement from Chaplin's earlier Keystone films. The film was shot by Harry W. Gerstad and Roland Totheroh, Essanay's regular cinematographers who worked extensively with Chaplin. The camera work is more sophisticated than in previous Chaplin shorts, with more varied camera angles and better composition. The film makes effective use of deep focus to show the chaos on the movie set, allowing multiple gags to occur simultaneously. The lighting is more controlled and dramatic than in earlier films, creating a more professional look. The cinematography effectively captures the meta-narrative by showing both the movie-within-the-movie and the actual film production. The camera movements are more deliberate and purposeful, reflecting Chaplin's growing understanding of film as an art form rather than just recorded stage performance.

Innovations

The film demonstrated several technical innovations for its time, including more elaborate set construction than typical comedy shorts. The movie-within-a-movie concept required sophisticated staging and blocking to clearly distinguish between the film being made and the actual film. The film's longer running time (30 minutes) represented a move away from the standard one-reel format, allowing for more complex storytelling and character development. The production used multiple camera setups to capture the action from different angles, which was becoming more common but still required significant planning. The film's preservation of behind-the-scenes movie-making techniques provides valuable documentation of early film production methods. The destruction of the set in the film's climax required careful planning and coordination to achieve the comedic effect while maintaining safety.

Music

As a silent film, 'His New Job' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. The typical score would have been provided by a theater organist or small orchestra, using popular songs of the era and classical pieces appropriate to the on-screen action. The music would have emphasized the comedic moments with lively, upbeat tunes and used more dramatic music during the chaotic scenes. Modern restorations of the film have been scored by various composers, including some who attempt to recreate the authentic 1915 musical style using period-appropriate instruments and arrangements. The lack of synchronized sound allowed theaters to customize the musical accompaniment based on their available musicians and local musical preferences.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Charlie arrives at the movie studio and observes the controlled chaos of film production
• The dice game scene where Charlie disrupts the other crew members while waiting for his scene
• The climactic sequence where Charlie finally gets to act but accidentally destroys the entire set, including tearing the leading lady's dress and knocking down walls, creating complete pandemonium on the movie set

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'His New Job' for its improved production values and more sophisticated comedy compared to Chaplin's Keystone work. The Moving Picture World noted the film's 'clever construction' and Chaplin's 'increased artistry.' Variety highlighted the film's originality in showing behind-the-scenes movie-making. Modern critics view the film as an important transitional work in Chaplin's career, demonstrating his growth as a filmmaker. Film historians consider it a significant step forward in the development of screen comedy, with its more elaborate sets and longer running time allowing for more complex gags. The film is often cited as an early example of meta-cinema, with its self-referential treatment of the movie industry.

What Audiences Thought

The film was enormously popular with audiences upon its release, capitalizing on Chaplin's growing fame as the Tramp character. Movie theaters reported packed houses for the film, with many venues adding extra showings to meet demand. Audiences particularly enjoyed the behind-the-scenes glimpse of movie-making, which was a novelty at the time. The film's success helped establish Chaplin as a bankable star who could draw audiences based on his name alone. Contemporary accounts describe audiences laughing throughout the film and giving it enthusiastic applause. The film's popularity extended internationally, with Chaplin's films being in high demand in Europe even during wartime. The positive reception helped solidify Chaplin's status as one of the most popular entertainers of the era.

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