The Rink (1916)

Director:

Charles Chaplin

Writer:

Charles Chaplin (writer)

Release Date:

4 December 1916 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Short

Plot:

After amusements working in a restaurant, Charlie uses his lunch break to go roller skating. Mr. Stout...

Plot Keywords:

Restaurant | Roller Skating | Party | Cocktail | Father Daughter Relationship

Cast

Charles Chaplin	...	A Waiter. Posing as Sir Cecil Seltzer
Edna Purviance	...	The Girl
James T. Kelley	...	Her Father
Eric Campbell	...	Mr. Stout, Edna's Admirer
Henry Bergman	...	Mrs. Stout and Angry Diner
Lloyd Bacon	...	Guest
Albert Austin	...	The Cook and Skater
Frank J. Coleman	...	Restaurant Manager
John Rand	...	Waiter
Charlotte Mineau	...	Friend of Edna
Leota Bryan	...	Friend of Edna

Also Known As:

Rolling Around (USA) (alternative title)
Waiter (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

Argentina:30 min | Germany:24 min (restored version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Germany:6 | Australia:G | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Lone Star Studio - 1751 Glendale Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Lone Star Corporation

Trivia:

The movie is best known for showcasing Charles Chaplin's roller skating skills.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Charlie goes to lunch, he changes out of his waiter's coat and tie into his "Little Tramp" coat and vest. When he buttons his vest, the buttons and button holes are out of alignment. But when he walks through the restaurant and onto the sidewalk, the buttons and button holes are properly aligned.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Upside of Anger (2005)

Enjoyable Chaplin short

Chaplin is a waiter in a chaotic restaurant. After he work he visits a skating rink for roller skates where he meets a girl but upsets plenty of others. She invites him to a skating party later – but can he win her heart whilst avoiding others?

Based on a sketch this short required Chaplin to expand the set-up to cover the longer running time and it occasionally shows. The restaurant scene is good but the real meat is in the two skating scenes that are fast and well choreographed to be amusing and skilfully done.

Chaplin is good as the little tramp and is even better when called on physically in the skating scenes. He shows his talent in those scenes much more than the others, however the actual plot needed a little more of the relationship in the wings even if it is just a short film.

Fans, however, will enjoy it regardless.