A Day's Pleasure (1919)

A Day's Pleasure Poster

A father takes his family for an outing, which turns out to be a ridiculous trial.

Introduction
"A Day's Pleasure" is an American short quiet comedy film from year 1919. Directed and composed by Charlie Chaplin, it consists of a flawless balance of humor and simple storytelling that changes simple everyday incidents into a hilarious series. The film stars Chaplin himself alongside Edna Purviance and Jackie Coogan.

Plot Overview

"A Day's Pleasure" is generally a story of one household's eventful outing. Charlie Chaplin plays the character of the mirthful father, who chooses to take his better half and two kids for a day out on his newly purchased automobile.

The turmoil starts right from home, when the household has a hard time to start the cars and truck. They finally manage to get the vehicle going and navigate a trip. The rough flight leading to several comic occurrences form the initial part of the movie. From a regular traffic snarl to an unexpected encounter with a road hog, Chaplin includes varied scenarios that most motorists can get in touch with.

After a messy journey, the family finally reaches the boat, where they prepare to delight in the rest of their day. This marks the second part of the film that is defined by a myriad of humorous episodes. Glitches with collapsible chairs, seasickness, and Chaplin's encounters with a flirty lady surely bring laughter.

Efficiency and Technical Aspects
Chaplin, as the playful, clumsy dad, handles to perform the physical comedy superbly, while remaining charming to viewers. Edna Purviance very well depicts the mother attempting to handle the kids and her absent-minded spouse. In spite of having lesser dialogs, their performances handle to develop an appealing and relatable story.

The film takes pleasure in some sharp video camera work for its time, utilizing a range of angles and shots. This enriches visual storytelling, while improving the comedic minutes. Editing plays a considerable function in enhancing the comedic timing, guaranteeing the momentum of hilarity isn't lost.

Concluding Thoughts
"A Day's Pleasure" is a 20-minute laughter flight that succinctly instills humor into everyday circumstances. There isn't a particular story or plot advancement that can be prepared for, making it an episodic funny. Chaplin's propensity of effortlessly transforming prevalent events into amusing situations is admirably showcased in this film.

As the day ends, the family heads house, summarizing their adventurous day filled with comic episodes. The movie concludes with them getting stuck in the traffic yet again, book-ending the film with a touch of cyclical narrative.

For fans of Chaplin and quiet film comedy, "A Day's Pleasure" is a must-watch. It is a testament to Chaplin's talent that even a century later on, his films maintain their appeal and humor. It's a light-hearted comedy that depicts the enjoyment and misadventures of a day's outing with household, underlining the saying that happiness certainly resides in life's easy things.

Top Cast

  • Charlie Chaplin (small)
    Charlie Chaplin
    Father
  • Edna Purviance (small)
    Edna Purviance
    Mother
  • Jackie Coogan (small)
    Jackie Coogan
    Smallest Boy (uncredited)
  • Babe London (small)
    Babe London
    Large Husband's Seasick Wife (uncredited)
  • Loyal Underwood (small)
    Loyal Underwood
    Angry Little Man in Street (uncredited)
  • Jessalyn Van Trump (small)
    Jessalyn Van Trump
    Woman in Street (uncredited)
  • Tom Wilson (small)
    Tom Wilson
    Large Husband on Boat