The Idle Class(1921)

Charlie Chaplin's The Idle Class(1921) found Chaplin experimenting with his recurring tramp character. This time, he actually plays two different roles, the tramp and the wealthy alcoholic husband to Edna Purviance's character. 

The film follows Chaplin's two characters, two distinct personalities bearing extreme facial resemblances. The carefree tramp sneaks into an upper class golf resort, where the troubled couple happens to be staying. The wife mistakes the tramp for her husband and chaos ensues amidst the confusion of identity. 

The 30 minute silent film, released under United Artists, cashed in on the extreme popularity Chaplin's "little tramp" was receiving from audiences, with the character's clumsy child-like ignorance and whimsical nature. Featuring Chaplin staples of physical humor and satirical treatment of society, the plot's treatment of mistaken identities results in a true upper versus lower class story. Following two story arcs that converge comedically, we follow the little tramp through this work that produces empathy for those of the lower class. Throughout, the tramp is always on the outside looking in. From an opening scene at a train station to the elaborate parties at the resort, the tramp playfully takes advantage of circumstances that are usually not available to him. All the while, the husband makes a mockery of his lucky circumstances. 

Through clips from the film, we can see Chaplin's employment of over exaggerated physicality and slap stick humor.