Phil attends the CHARLIE CHAPLIN DAYS: DAY THREE event at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum - July 15, 2018

Welcome back to the third and final day of the CHARLIE CHAPLIN DAYS here at the Edison Theater, home of the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum! Hard to believe that the fun was coming to a close. But before I say goodbye to Charlie, let me tell you all what was happening on the last day of this celebration!

The fun began in the late morning with our Sunday Afternoon Matinees, which screened Chaplin's Essanay films and was divided up in two parts. Here's what happened in the first part:

A NIGHT OUT (1915): After a visit to a pub, Charlie and Ben Turpin cause a ruckus at a posh restaurant. Charlie later finds himself in a compromising position at a hotel with the head waiter's wife. The film was shot on location in Oakland and San Jose.

THE CHAMPION (1915): Walking along a street with his bulldog, Charlie finds a "good luck" horseshoe just as he passes the training camp of an enormous fighter named Spike Dugan, which states he is seeking sparring partners "who can take a take a punch." The movie was filmed in Niles and around the Essanay Studio.

Then it was time for the museum to show the now classic entitled Google's CHAPLIN DOODLE. Originally released on April 16, 2011 on the Google website, the short was made to celebrate Chaplin's 122nd birthday on that same day. The short was filmed here in Niles and was a real treat to see it on the big screen again. Then the museum held its annual Chaplin Look Alike Contest, which was amazing to see both young and old impersonating Chaplin. After that, it was time for part two of the Sunday Afternoon Matinees:

IN THE PARK (1915): A tramp steals a girl's handbag, but when he tries to pick Charlie's pocket loses his cigarettes and matches. He rescues a hot dog man from a thug, but takes a few with his walking stick. When the thief tries to take some of Charlie's sausages, Charlie gets the handbag. The handbag makes its way from person to person to its owner, who is angry with her boyfriend who didn't protect her in the first place. The film was shot in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Original Theatrical Poster (1915)

A JITNEY ELOPEMENT: (1915): Edna Purviance's father wants her to marry wealthy Count He-Ha. Charlie, Edna's true love, impersonates the Count at dinner, but the real Count shows up and Charlie is thrown out. Later on Charlie and Edna are chased by her father, The Count, and three policeman. The pursuers drive off a pier. The film was shot in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

THE TRAMP (1915): Chaplin's the little Tramp finds the girl of his dreams and works on a family farm. He helps defend the farm against criminals, and all seems well, until he discovers the girl of his dreams already has a boyfriend. The movie was filmed in Niles, Niles Canyon and around the Essanay Studio.

WHEN THE MOVIES CAME  FROM NILES (1964): This hour long film was narrated by Bill Cato: a real life cowboy and actor who worked at the Essanay studio and was also Broncho Billy's occasional riding double. We hear Cato recalling how much fun it was making these films for the studio and how mush pride they had making them. We also hear the voice of Anderson as well.

The weekend long celebration concluded with SHOW & TELL WITH JASON ALLIN.

This was such a fun filled weekend! And I can't wait till next year's Charlie Chaplin Days! In the meantime, there are plenty more excitement happening at the museum. We have a weekly Saturday Night shows, including the extremely popular Comedy Shorts Night. Plus in August the museum will have their annual Bronco Bill Film Festival! So don't delay! Come on down to the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, where silent films live forever!!

To learn more about Charlie Chaplin, visit the official website at www.charliechaplin.com. To learn more about the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, how to become a member, and to view their film schedule, visit their website at www.nilesfilmmuseum.org.

Thanks for reading, and enjoy the show!