The Rink (1916)

A Brilliant Conflict

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Am a big fan of Charlie Chaplin, have been for over a decade now. Many films and shorts of his are very good to masterpiece, and like many others consider him a comedy genius and one of film's most important and influential directors. From his post-Essanay period after leaving Keystone, 'The Rink' is not one of his very best but is one of his best early efforts and among the better short films of his. It shows a noticeable step up in quality though from his Keystone period, where he was still evolving and in the infancy of his long career, from 1914, The Essanay and Mutual periods were something of Chaplin's adolescence period where his style had been found and starting to settle. Something that can be seen in the more than worthwhile 'The Rink'. The story is more discernible than usual and is never dull, but is sometimes a bit too busy and manic.On the other hand, 'The Rink' looks pretty good, not incredible but it was obvious that Chaplin was taking more time with his work and not churning out countless shorts in the same year of very variable success like he did with Keystone. Appreciate the importance of his Keystone period and there is some good stuff he did there, but the more mature and careful quality seen here and later on is obvious.While not one of his most hilarious or touching, 'The Rink' is still very funny with some clever, entertaining and well-timed slapstick and has substance and pathos that generally were not there with Keystone. It moves quickly and there is no dullness in sight. The second half is both hilarious and enchanting.Chaplin directs more than competently, if not quite cinematic genius standard yet. He also, as usual, gives an amusing and expressive performance and at clear ease with the physicality and substance of the role. The supporting cast acquit themselves well, particularly a charming Edna Purviance and their chemistry is sweet to watch.In summary, very good and one of the best from Chaplin's 1916 output. 8/10 Bethany Cox

A lot of Charlie Chaplin comedies are overdone with pathos and sentiment. He seemed to think that his public should constantly be reminded of poverty and deprivation in his films. This grows irksome rather quickly and his legacy has been affected. Fortunately, his short films still contain his best work overall. "The Rink" is one of them as there is no pathos, just comedy. Chaplin plays a waiter who after causing utter chaos at the restaurant, does the same at a local roller skating rink. We have Chaplin's usual cast of actors: Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Henry Bergen and Albert Austin. The slapstick takes place at the restaurant and roller skating rink and it is excellent. Chaplin uses the various props to the best of his advantage. A masterpiece!

(72%) Chaplin highlights his roller-skating talent in this briskly paced 20 minuter set around Charlie as a waiter. There's some nice somewhat more subtle jokes centred around Charley working out the bill by seeing what customers have split onto their clothes, and a mix-up in the kitchen leading to a diner served a scrubbing brush. Charlie's character is not a complete down and out, or very wealthy, but more fun loving and fancy free, and once he's given an hour of free time he hits the rink. This is very much a standard Chaplin early movie that benefits from his skating ability and charm, although the version I saw is a poor cheap money grab as it needed some restoration.

Charlie is a waiter who goes roller skating during his lunch break.Then later he is invited to a party at Edna's, known now as Sir Cecil Seltzer.Chaplin's The Rink from 1916 is his eight film for Mutual Films.We see here Charlie showing his rolling skating skills.Edna is his love interest.James T. Kelley is her father.Eric Campbell plays Mr. Stout, Edna's admirer.Henry Bergmann is Mrs. Stout and Angry Diner.Lloyd Bacon is Guest.It's really funny to see Charlie doing his moves in the rink, and making other skaters fall down.And his waiting techniques are something never seen before.Charles Chaplin was a buffoon one of his kind.