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Variety, January 19, 1918

A Dog's Life (1918)

Charlie Chaplin’s first comedy films release under the presentation of the First National Exhibitor’s Circuit. It is one of what is called "Chaplin’s Million Dollar Comedy Series", referring to the million-dollar salary guaranteed contract Chaplin has had with that corporation. The film seems to run about two reels’ length. It brought much laughter from the Strand audience Tuesday evening and some applause at the finish. The initial slides say Chaplin wrote and directed the scenario. To make this positive a band with chalk writes out the Chaplin name on the slide in a blank space left. The story opens and closes indefinitely. There is a dog in it, several dogs at one time, but the title was selected merely haphazard. Chaplin goes through it in his bumming way, a tramp throughout, carrying a dog along with him. The dog locates a wallet buried in the ground, but before reaching it, he kicks the turf as he digs into Chaplin’s face, who is sleeping just behind the animal. The wallet then forms the basis for the rest of the story, allowing Chaplin to indulge in some "One Round Hogan" business of knocking out, and later he appears to have taken an idea of the food cart where theer (sic) is plenty of dodging from one of the old Karno sketches. His best piece of business is upon entering a cabaret, stuffing the dog into his trousers. The dog’s tail works out through a hole in the pants and it’s wriggling brings laughing shrieks. As Chaplin bends over near the orchestra, the dog’s tail pounds against the bass drum, with an orchestra effect to bring it out. There is no messy slapstick of any account, considerable pantomime by Chaplin, also much more studio work than Chaplin usually gives to a comedy. The out of door action is fast all the time, although from the reported three reels Chaplin turned out in this film, it must have been cut down at the Strand, and if so explains the absence of any padding or dull moments. It’s a corking good comedy film for Chaplin to inaugurate his latest contract with, and the Strand made a fine investment when buying it for pre-release week. The Strand is the only New York house showing the comedy this week, and there is a big rush there of Chaplin fans. Thursday night at the first show not another person could have pushed into the house. There isn’t much doubt but that the Strand will run well over $20,000 for the week.

copyright © 1918 Variety