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In 1914, the great Charlie Chaplin signed a one-year contract with the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company for what was then an unprecedented salary. Shooting in its California and Chicago studios, he went on to make 16 films that established him as the world’s favourite screen comedian. On 23 January 2017 the BFI will release The Essanay Comedies, a collection of all 16 films, in 2-disc Blu-ray and DVD sets. Each set also contains exclusive special features never before released in the UK, including a 1951 version of A Burlesque on Carmen voiced by comedian Peter Sellers.
Unlike other stars of the time, Charlie Chaplin retained creative control over his films, from writing to casting and directing. Despite the strain that put on his relationship with Essanay, this fruitful period of his career saw him evolve his style, resulting in seminal works such as The Tramp, The Bank and The Champion.
These comprehensive collections are the result of a 12-year project led by Lobster Films and Cineteca di Bologna to fully restore the films, which are:
His New Job, A Night Out, The Champion, In the Park, A Jitney Elopement, The Tramp, By the Sea, His Regeneration, Work, A Woman, The Bank, Shanghaied, A Night in the Show, A Burlesque on Carmen, Police and Triple Trouble. |
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