The Cure
1917 · 24m · USA
Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Tones: absurdist, humorous, whimsical
A wealthy drunkard arrives at a health spa to dry out, but smuggles in a suitcase full of alcohol, promptly throwing the entire establishment into hilarious chaos.
Picked by Margot
The scouts
Chaplin at a hydrotherapy clinic with a suitcase of booze is a fine setup, but it's pure Mutual-era physical churn with no edge under it. Take it or leave it.
A Mutual-era spa farce that finds Chaplin in pure-physical mode without the social conscience that would later distinguish him. Engaging if you accept its modest ambitions.
Chaplin choreographing chaos around a hydrotherapy clinic — the spa setting gives him props (towels, tubs, revolving doors) he never gets elsewhere. Pure Mutual-era physical comedy without the social commentary baggage.
Reviews
To lovers of Chaplin comedy 'The Cure' will appeal, not as the best Chaplin effort, but as contrasting favorably with previous efforts... contains in the second reel some excruciatingly funny moments, particularly in the scenes at the baths.
Measured in terms of sheer belly-laughs The Cure may well be the funniest movie Charlie Chaplin ever made.
Festivals
- San Francisco Silent Film Festival 2014