Charlie Chaplin's Employment Office Scene in "A Dog's Life"

 This scene, arguably an example of dark comedy, comes from Charlie Chaplin's 1918 short filmy "A Dog's Life" staring Chaplin as The Tramp, Edna Purviance as the Bar Singer and object of Chaplin's affection, and Scrap the Dog as the Mutt and Chaplin's best friend. The short film is centered around the journey of a poor, out of work Tramp who fosters a friendship with a stray dog after saving it from being ravaged by other dogs. Throughout the film the Tramp struggles to find a job, find resources, however by some miracle Scrap digs up a stolen wallet, and the money the Tramp finds allows him to convince the Bar Singer to be his bride and come away with him to the country side. The film, with the fantastical plot line, reminds one of the ending in "The Last Laugh" as it feels as thought this finding of a wallet with enough money to escape poverty is unlikely. The other interesting thing about this film is that it makes serious social issues like homelessness and poverty humorous, allowing it to be brought to a wider audience almost unsuspectedly to bother entertain and perhaps educate.

The scene of the movie that is both dark and comical see's Chaplins character in an employment office in search of a job. The men in the office, notable too that all those seeking a job are men, including Chaplin's Tramp are dressed in tattered and soiled clothing, indicating their dire predicament even more so. The men are orderly sat in a line with the Tramp in the front, however when an office worker comes out to present them with opportunities the Tramp is comically pushed, shoved, and bumped into so that despite being the first in line he is the only one not to receive a position. While this scene is still slapstick in nature with all of the physical comedy, it is also slightly tragic. One could argue that this is a commentary on American society or capitalism at the time, that just because one is a little ahead of another that does not mean he will be successful. And that people are willing to push you around for their own benefit. This scene is interesting to watch because it deals with issues of poverty and unemployment in the big city while still existing as a comedy short film.