Review of The Count (1916) by John A — 01 May 2009

This Mutual had me in a fit of hysterical giggles as only Chaplin can produce. It's a good mix of the destruction of lavish set pieces, barbaric slapstick and societal role reversal, placing Charlie in a bourgeoise party mansion only to reveal that his lower-class manners don't quite mesh properly.

The dance sequence is the best in a series of well-timed routines the film has to offer, with the tramp and Eric Campbell getting competitive and trying to keep it discreet. The film builds and builds until its perfect finale in which the tramp lets the rich have it, and sticks it to the police as well.