Chaplin Page #2

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in them fancy places.

You wait. Someday they'll beg.

We'll walk in, you and me.

You in a fur, dripping jewels

me in my own whistle.

Whistle?

Whistle and flute. Suit.

Oh, I see.

Will you marry me?

No.

Where would I get the jewels?

From me. Engagement rings

wedding tiaras, rubies...

Charlie, I can't marry you.

I don't see why not.

I'm only sixteen.

But you'll get over that. Why else?

We hardly know each other.

This is our first date.

When I return from America

we'll spend more time together.

Are you serious?

Were you, Charlie?

You say you were.

I want to make sure.

It's on page forty-something.

Thirty-three.

I mean, you never even kissed her.

You think I don't know that?

I'll just backtrack for a moment.

After you had your mother

committed it all gets a bit vague.

Yes, it does.

Why?

Because I don't wish to remember.

Fair enough. But...

...if you'll allow me to say so...

...I don't think, and I know

this sounds very American

you shouldn't be afraid to let

the readers share your feelings.

Know what I mean?

You'll break me heart

if you say no.

At least say you'll wait for me.

I'll wait for you.

How long will you be in America?

I don't know exactly.

It depends if they like the drunk act.

If they throw things

I won't be gone long.

They won't throw things.

They'll think you're wonderful.

I think you're wonderful.

The funny thing is...

...you never mentioned love.

I don't have to, do I?

The number nine's in from Chicago.

Let's load up the steers.

Nickel.

Sit down.

Have you seen that English bloke?

Watch this.

I've seen it before.

A telegram came for you.

Show it again.

You've seen everything twice.

The one with the fire engine.

You'll love this one.

If any of them could act

they'd be on the stage.

Charlie, it's a telegram.

That can only mean somebody's died.

Some bloke's offered me

a job in California.

In the flickers!

The flickers aren't legit.

A hundred and fifty a week.

A hundred and fifty a week!

Watch your step.

Mack Sennett Studios

Hit him harder, Fred.

Harder.

Put some muscle into it.

This ain't a Sunday school picnic.

Ready when you are, Mr. Sennett.

Someone's in the shot.

Keep cranking. Still cranking!

Cut. Cut it! Jesus Christ!

Was it good till the dummies fell out?

How could I find Mr. Mack Sennett?

What the hell were you doing?

I'm afraid you just found him.

Hello, sir. I'm Charlie Chaplin.

You sent me a telegram.

Butte, Montana. You hired me

for a year, Mr. Sennett.

You're not Chaplin. Chaplin did

the best comedy drunk I ever saw.

I don't pay $100 a week to kids.

Another one, boss?

- No.

Mr. Sennett?

You might be Chaplin, after all.

And it was $150.

Plum in the middle of a shot.

You sure screwed it up, didn't you?

Fix it, will you, Rollie?

We don't print until we cut it.

That was negative, kid.

I know this is new to you

this is not an ancient industry.

It's all built around speed.

Start the story, the chase.

I get bored easy is why.

How much of Mabel? A couple of yards?

Yeah. No, try three.

But we don't sacrifice quality.

I only make two pictures a week.

I'll spend up to $1000 on each.

Well, Rollie?

Almost done.

Waste not, want not. That's my motto.

When Rollie's done, no one

will know you were there.

I'm rewinding.

You're on the cutting room floor.

Not the place to be.

Got it.

Forget everything you ever learned.

You're not in the theatre anymore.

That did it.

If you need me, I'll be with Mabel.

Nothing quite like it.

The feeling of film. But was it clear...

...how much the movies terrified me?

Not really. Why?

You must help me get that right.

I was right to be scared.

I was dreadful.

Sennett wished he'd never hired me.

I could barely keep control.

I would have been a total disaster

if I hadn't invented the tramp.

I wanted to talk to you

about that section.

The words just poured out.

It practically wrote itself.

I'd only been with Sennett a month.

That magical moment

as I walked through...

...the wardrobe door.

I felt possessed.

I could feel him calling out to me.

The Tramp.

Bullshit. And you know it.

But the truth was so boring, George.

Jesus.

You told him to change.

- Into what, a suit of armor?

Chaplin! Get your ass

onto this stage, right now!

Forget the Limey. Get cranking.

Okay! Begin!

Very formal, everyone.

What the hell? He's crazy.

What do I do?

Cut it. No, wait. Hold it. Keep going.

Maybe he's not so crazy.

Photographer! Henry!

Chase him around the camera!

Okay, put him in line.

Big reaction! Who is this?

Stay down, Henry. Stay down!

Groom! Look jealous!

Jealous! Better than that!

Mabel give the tramp the eye.

That's right.

Matron, you're real hoity-toity.

Who is this bum? Good. Very good.

Groom, he's trying to steal your bride!

Matron, hit him!

All right! Domino fall! Domino fall!

Start the chase!

Don't stop! Keep going!

Good! Good! Terrific!

Look into the camera.

Snap it.

Watch the bride.

That's enough. Cut.

Chaplin, what are you trying

to do to me?

I knew I was right to hire him.

Listen.

You do what I say

or I'll report you to Mack.

You stand up right now.

Pick up this hose and when I say

sprinkle the road.

I could do more with that hose.

I could be funny.

Two months you think you know

everything. I'm the director.

This is not a movie about

being funny with a hose.

You're right. But it could be.

Chaplin!

He's coming.

I don't insist you fire him

but if you do, that's fine.

I'd love to axe the Limey

but I talked to new York.

It seems he's an asset to the company.

But I'll make sure he knows

you're a great director.

Is Mack ever waiting for you!

Come in.

Charlie, come in, please.

You got to help me with Mabel.

She actually thinks she can direct.

You're not mad, then?

I've been waiting for an actor

to have the guts to stand up to her.

I really like you, Charlie.

I really like you too, Mack.

And I'll bet you've talked to New York.

Let me direct the next one.

How do you know you can?

- I couldn't do worse.

Says you. What if no one wants it?

What if it stinks?

Who'll pay?

I've never seen you pick up a check.

I'll pay.

This is my work.

Did you pay?

No. But, boy, did I work.

I directed more than 20 films

by the year's end.

Why didn't you send for Hetty?

I did write. Never got a reply.

I thought she might be on tour.

So I asked Syd to track her down...

...see how she felt.

My god, look at him!

Dressed in style with your father's

old green tie on.

I wouldn't give you tuppence

for your old watch chain, old iron.

This is Minnie.

Nice to meet you.

Give us a hand, Chas, come on.

Why did you pick him?

- He's not so bad.

Our Syd's all right.

I don't know, Chas.

I don't see anybody staring at you.

Nice flivver. How long you had it?

- A couple of weeks.

When do I meet Mr. Sennett?

Got something to show you first.

Look!

New Chaplin Film

I don't believe it!

It's all happened so quick, Chas.

Last year, you were in vaudeville.

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