Slapstick #8 -- April 19, 2011

"With Mr. Charles Chapin as Archibald Binks, the inebriate." Charlie Chaplin made his first visits to America as a member of Fred Karno's pantomime company. Alf Reeves later worked closely with Chaplin on his movies. "Ladies' Night in a London Club" sounds like a variation on "The Mumming Birds," in which Chaplin played a drunk who repeatedly interrupted a variety show.

The ad, from his second US tour, comes from the 14-June-1913 Washington Times. I wish the photo had scanned more clearly.

Later that year, Chaplin signed a contract with Mack Sennett's Keystone company to go into the movies. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Note that Sunday, an out-of-town baseball game will be presented on a board in the theater.