Shoulder Arms

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Shoulder Arms
Directed by Charlie Chaplin
Starring Edna Purviance
Sydney Chaplin
Cinematography Roland Totheroh
Editing by Charles Chaplin
Distributed by First National Pictures
Release date(s) 20 October 1918
Running time 46 minutes
Country Flag of United States United States
Language Silent film
English intertitles
IMDb profile

Shoulder Arms was Charlie Chaplin's second film for First National Pictures. Released in 1918, it was a silent comedy set in France during World War I. The main part of the film occurring in a dream. Co-starring Edna Purviance and Sydney Chaplin, Chaplin's brother.

[edit] Reception

Shoulder Arms proved to be Chaplin's most popular film, critically and commerically, up to that point. A review in the October 21, 1918 New York Times was typical:

""The fool's funny," was the chuckling observation of one of those who saw Charlie Chaplin's new film. Shoulder Arms, at the Strand yesterday—and, apparently, that's the way everybody felt. There have been learned discussions as to whether Chaplin's comedy is low or high, artistic or crude, but no one can deny that when he impersonates a screen fool he is funny. Most of those who go to find fault with him remain to laugh. They may still find fault, but they will keep on laughing."

[edit] Credited Cast



The First National films of Charlie Chaplin

A Dog's Life (1918) • The Bond (1918) Shoulder Arms (1918) • Sunnyside (1919) A Day's Pleasure (1919) • The Professor (1919) The Kid (1915) • The Idle Class (1921) Pay Day (1922) The Pilgrim (1923)

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