The Bank (1915)

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Excellent, Without a doubt!!

As Good As It Gets

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Am a big fan of Charlie Chaplin, have been for over a decade now. Many films and shorts of his are very good to masterpiece, and like many others consider him a comedy genius and one of film's most important and influential directors. From his Essanay period after leaving Keystone, 'The Bank is not one of his very best but is one of his best early efforts and among the better short films of his. It shows a noticeable step up in quality though from his Keystone period, where he was still evolving and in the infancy of his long career, from 1914, The Essanay period is something of Chaplin's adolescence period where his style had been found and starting to settle. Something that can be seen in the more than worthwhile 'The Bank'. The story is still a little flimsy, there are times where it struggles to sustain the short length, and could have had more variety.On the other hand, 'The Bank' looks pretty good, not incredible but it was obvious that Chaplin was taking more time with his work and not churning out countless shorts in the same year of very variable success like he did with Keystone. Appreciate the importance of his Keystone period and there is some good stuff he did there, but the more mature and careful quality seen here and later on is obvious.While not one of his most hilarious or touching, 'The Bank' is still very funny with some clever, entertaining and well-timed slapstick and is one of his first to have substance and pathos. It moves quickly and there is no dullness in sight. Chaplin directs more than competently, if not quite cinematic genius standard yet. He also, as usual, gives an amusing and expressive performance and at clear ease with the physicality and substance of the role. The supporting cast acquit themselves well.In summary, very good and one of the best from Chaplin's Essanay period. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Charlie works as a janitor at a bank.But when Charlie is holding the mop it means only more mess.Edna is the secretary of the bank and Charlie has a big crush on her.But she has a fiancé, the cashier that's also called Charlie.A big misunderstanding happens but Charlie gets to safe the day when he gets to rescue Edna from the bank robbers.But then he wakes up and realizes it was only a dream.The Bank from 1915 is Charles Chaplin's tenth picture for Essanay films and it's a departure from the tramp character.Tramp or no tramp, Charlie does his thing good.It's great to watch him mopping the floors and constantly hitting those big shots with his mop.It's most tragicomic when Charlie finds Edna's message to Charlie, that other Charlie, and he thinks it's for him.He gets her a rose and writes her a message and then finds out it's not him she loves.Chaplin works with his usual cast here.Edna Purviance is naturally the woman he loves.Leo White is Clerk.Billy Armstrong is Another Janitor.Lloyd Bacon plays Bank Robber.Carl Stockdale is Charles, the Cashier.This Chaplin short will make you laugh...after more than 90 years.

"The Bank" (1915, Chaplin) "The Bank" was one of Charlie's 1915 Essanay films. While these group of films are more watchable than their 1914 counterparts, this one seems a bit below average. The gag with the janitorial double combo-locked vault and the tough-luck ending that has Charlie waking up from a dream, in which he is stroking the lead lady's hair, only to be stroking the head of a mop he had used as a quasi pillow, are both classic Chaplin moments. They are both ironically the beginning and the end. The middle is filled in with fighting with the rival co-worker janitor and busting up a bank robbery to win the girl. The mop is probably the greatest physical prop of this movie and Charlie uses it to expert comedic effect whether while it is the intention of his character or not. The mop seems to be Charlie's alter-ego doing things he wishes he could do but wouldn't with his own two hands. Interesting stuff but there's better.

Good Chaplin short with Charlie as a janitor in a bank. Movie consists of 3 parts. First Charlie gets in a fight with another janitor as they don't really help each other. Then we meet Edna, Charlie's secret love, but engaged to a cashier. The third part is when some gangsters try to rob the bank, but then Charlie comes in and saves the day, gaining the respect and love of Edna (or does he?).Funny slapstick by Charlie, in particular in the last part when he fights of the robbers. Though not his best, certainly great entertainment for Chaplin fans (and boy am I one of them). Great, bittersweet ending as well.Peculiar thing happened when I turned off my dvd player and the Dutch 'Tros tv-show' was on with Geraldine and young Oona as guests! Now that can't be a coincidence...Final score: 7/10.