The Bank (1915)

Introduction
"The Bank" is a quiet American comedy film from 1915, directed by Charles Chaplin. It served as Chaplin's 12th film for "Essanay Studios" and proved to be a significant step in Chaplin's career as it showcased a depth of character in his usually simply comical automobile-- the 'Tramp.' Chaplin beautifully included funny, love, and pathos into the story of the movie, showing his flexibility as a filmmaker.

Plot Summary
"The Bank" is a 20-minute short film illustrated in a "dream vs reality" format. The story focuses on a janitor, played by Chaplin, operating in a bank, who is covertly in love with a secretary, played by Edna Purviance. The janitor is depicted as a socially low-ranking private whose job includes tasks like sweeping the bank, cleaning furnishings, and spit-shining the lender's shoes.

In his dream, the janitor envisions himself as the bank's hero and the supervisor of the bank. He dreams of saving the bank facilities from a daring heist - exhibiting a variety of Chaplin's physical comedy and pantomime. Importantly, he also envisions reciprocation of sensations from Edna (the secretary). This dream sequence reveals the character's deep longing for self-respect and acknowledgment, which he does not get in truth.

Reality Check
In reality, the janitor misunderstands friendly cordiality as romantic interest from the secretary. However, she is actually in love with the bank's cashiers, played by Carl Stockdale. When the secretary delivers a note intended for the cashier to Chaplin, the janitor mistakenly believes it to be a love note for him.

The climax of the film occurs when the bank is certainly robbed, mirroring the janitor's dream. In contrast to his brave dream, reality takes a various turn, Chaplin's character in fact leaves throughout the break-in, only to return when he understands that there is cash scattered throughout the floor, attempting to recuperate it amidst the chaos. Unfortunately, instead of being hailed as a hero, he loses his job.

Artistic Approach and Ending
Chaplin artfully juxtaposes the pathos of the main character's reality with the whimsicality of his dreams, crafting a story with both comedic and touching aspects. He utilizes the movie to show the huge divergence in between truth and fantasy in the life of the underdog.

The movie concludes with the janitor, jobless and sad, retreating back to his janitorial duties with a downcast expression. This ending reasserts the class divide and the unlikelihood of his dream becoming reality.

Conclusion
"The Bank" showcases Charles Chaplin's fantastic command of funny, pathos, and social commentary through the medium of silent cinema. This movie is not just funny however also offers a peek into the daily hopes and imagine ordinary people in the early 20th century. The film stands testament to Chaplin's capability to instill characters with depth and feelings, transcending the borders of the typically slapstick category of funny he was known for.

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