Charlie's White Elephant - Charlie et sa Belle

This is a 1916 Charlie Chaplin cartoon that was fourth in a series of nine chaplin cartoons made by the american Movca Film Service. I had, until recently, only seen brief glimpses of this cartoon from various documentaries on the life and work of Charlie Chaplin; I came across this quite by accident on a european DVD release of some Chaplin Mutual films.
I'm afraid I don't know very much about this series of cartoons. I don't imagine Chaplin himself would have had much to do with them, or if he was even aware of their existance. Then again, there may have been some copyright infringment in the Movca Film Service making use of the Tramp character---then again, copyright laws probably weren't as highly enforced in 1916 as they are now.
As for the animation... well, it certainly isn't Fantasia. But it does seem relatively successful in producing some of the Tramp's more popular poses (if not the flow of movement). But considering the year, and the fact that this probably wasn't a very established company with a lot of experience, I'd say it's not bad. However, in any case, I think a live-action Chaplin film would do just as well, and in most cases, better. But there's a certain amount of nostalgia in seeing an old cartoon like this. It just goes to show how universally known and acclaimed he was with only being in film for two years.

[@barefootmarley]

good upload. fan of animation. i have seen much, but not this one. kudos to you.

[@memerified]

boomer

[@DoctorHver]

I think I know for sure that atlest one Chaplin animated series was made by his blessing but not sure if it was the Movca Film Service series or the Sullivan series. But I wouldn't be suprsied if both series were done with his blessing but I dont have anything in my hands to support that.

[@memerified]

boomer

[@CharlieJudkins69]

@MrNEStalgia Yep! John Terry was Paul's older brother, and inspiration to become a cartoonist. Also, since posting my comment below i've done a bit more research on these films and found that they were actually animated in San Fransisco, not Greenwich Village. Not surprising since all 3 artists were San Fransisco newspaper cartoonists. - Charlie Judkins

[@memerified]

boomer

[@MrNEStalgia]

@zyzyx123 is john terry in any possible relation to paul terry?

[@memerified]

boomer