Burlesque On Carmen (1916) - Video On Demand

Burlesque On Carmen - Movie Review

Charlie Chaplins Burlesque on Carmen was Chaplins 13th film for Essanay Films. It was released in 1915 and then later recut into a different version in 1916. Charlie Chaplin played Dain Hosiery and Edna Purviance played Carmen. Carmen was very popular at this time and one of the reasons Chaplin decided to create his own comedy version on the opera.

The film is a parody of two contemporary films based on Bizets opera, by Cecil B. De Mille (starring opera star Geraldine Farrar) and Raoul Walsh (starring vamp Theda Bara).

Chaplin plays Darn Hosiery (Don Jose) the Corporal of the Guard who is seduced by Carmen (played by Edna Purviance) so that Gypsy smugglers can get their swag through the city gates. His chief rivals for Carmen's affections are Escamillo, the Toreador and a fellow soldier of the guard, Leo White. Don Jose is charmed by Carmen and ignores his military duties.

He allows the smugglers to enter the city gates but other guards, alerted by his rival White, give chase. Don Jose gets into a duel for Carmen's attentions with White and aided by Carmen he kills White. Realizing what he has done he pursues Carmen and catches up with Carmen and accuses her of infidelity and when she mocks his love, he stabs her and then himself.

They are discovered by the Toreador, but Don Jose revives, mule kicks Escamillo back into the arena and picks up Carmen who also comes back to life. Looking into the camera, they smilingly show the audience the collapsible knife.

Burlesque On Carmen - Cast & Crew

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