The Property Man is a short 1914 in film United States comedy silent film made by Keystone Studios starring Charlie Chaplin.

Synopsis

Charlie is in charge of stage "props" and has trouble with actors' luggage and conflicts over who gets the star's dressing room.
Small caricatures on the wall indicate both the stars and the head of what can only be Charlie Chaplin with the word "PROPS" below.
Once the dressing-room issue is resolved the next issue is getting everyone on stage with the correct backdrop.
The order of performance, all of which we see is:
The "Goo-Goo Sisters", billed as comediennes; two young girls dancing
"Garlico" and his Feets of Strength (sic); a strong-man aided by his beautiful assistant who gets knocked out just before she goes on stage, allowing Charlie to step in.
"Sorrow" a drama performed by a man and woman.
During the performances we see the audience reaction throughout, ranging from delight to booing.
Backstage Charlie and an old man fight, often distrupting the on-stage performances. The audience also break into a fight, and a hose brought out behind the scenes ends up squirted over them.

Trivia

The first section contains one of the first continuity errors. Whilst early films often lack any logical progression and could be claimed to be riddled with such, there is a point intended to run smoothly from one room to another where Charlie is burdened with a very heavy chest on his back. We see him lose his hat on one side, and on the other his hat is instantly back on his head.

Cast

• Charles Chaplin - The Property Man
• Phyllis Allen - Lena Fat
• Alice Davenport - Actress
• Charles Bennett (actor) - George Ham, Lena's husband
• Mack Sennett - Man in audience
• Norma Nichols - Vaudeville artist
• Joe Bordeaux - Old actor
• Harry McCoy - Drunk in audience
• Lee Morris - Man in audience

See also

List of American films of 1914

Category:1914 films
Category:1910s comedy films
Category:Films directed by Charlie Chaplin
Category:Black-and-white films
Category:American silent short films
Category:Keystone Studios films
Category:Films produced by Mack Sennett
Category:1910s short films
Category:American comedy films