Easy Street (1917)

Takes place on a street similar to where Chaplin himself was born – a despairing world beset by gangs, domestic violence, alcoholics and a tenuous authority represented by the church and police.

In the film, the police are failing to maintain law and order and so it is Chaplin, as the Little Tramp character, that steps forward (rather reluctantly) to rid the street of bullies, help the poor, save women from madmen and generally keep the peace.

Chaplin Quote: “If there is one human type more than any other that the whole wide world has it in for, it is the policeman type. Of course, the policeman isn’t really to blame for the public prejudice against his uniform —it’s just the natural human revulsion against any sort of authority…”

One A.M (1916)

Was a unique Charlie Chaplin silent film.
It was the first film he starred in alone, except for a brief scene with Albert Austin playing the cab driver.

In this film Chaplin plays the role of a homeowner coming home late, after too much to drink.
He only wants to go to bed, but ‘everything’ around him prevents him.

The Immigrant (1917)- (also called Broke)

Is a short comedy film starring the Charlie Chaplin Tramp character as an immigrant coming to the United States who is accused of theft on the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, and befriends a young woman along the way.

Behind The Screen (1916)

Takes place in a movie studio where Chaplin plays a stagehand named David, while Campbell ("Goliath") plays his supervisor.

Much of the film is slapstick comedy but other issues are also brought up such as a stagehand strike as well as a plotline in which Purviance, unable to become an actress, dresses as a man and becomes a stagehand.

The Fireman (1916)

Was the second film Charlie Chaplin created for Mutual Films. It starred Charlie as the fireman and Edna Purviance as the daughter to Leo White. Leo White played a character trying to arrange with Eric Campbell (the fire chief) to have his house burnt down so he could collect the insurance money.

The Rink (1916)

Was Charlie Chaplin’s eighth film for Mutual Films.
After amusements working in a restaurant, Charlie uses his lunch break to go roller skating.
It is best known for showcasing Chaplin’s roller skating skills.

The Pawn Shop (1916)

Was Charlie Chaplin’s sixth film for The Mutual Film Company.

Here Chaplin plays the role of assistant to the pawnshop owner. Henry Bergman played the owner and Edna Purviance the owner’s daugher. Albert Austin played an alarm clock owner who watches Chaplin in dismay as he checks out the clock.

This was one of his more popular Mutual Films, mainly for the slapstick comedy he was famous for at the time.

The Vagabond (1916)

Was Chaplin’s third film with Mutual Films.
It co-starred Edna Purviance, Eric Campbell, Leo White and Lloyd Bacon.

This film echoed Chaplin's work on The Tramp, with more drama mixed in with comedy. The story begins with Charlie, playing music to raise money, and instead finds an abused girl (played by Edna) living in a gypsy camp. As in The Tramp, he works on finding a way to help her.

The Cure (1917)

Chaplin plays a drunk who checks into a health spa to dry out, but his suitcase full of alcohol does not aid him in this pursuit. Along the way he aggravates a large man and seduces a young lady.

The Count (1916)

Was Chaplin’s fifth film for Mutual Films and co-starred Eric Campbell and Edna Purviance.

Chaplin and his boss find an invitation to a party from a real Count. Each try to play the role as the Count instead to catch the rich heiress played by Edna.
Chaplin burns a count’s trousers while ironing them and is fired.

The Floorwalker (1916)

Was Charlie Chaplin’s first film for Mutual Films and starred Chaplin as a customer in a department store who finds out the manager is stealing money from the store.

The Floorwalker was noted for the first ‘running staircase’ used in films which is used for a series of slapstick that climaxes with a frantic chase down an upward escalator where the character remains in the same position on the steps no matter how fast they move.

The Adventurer (1917)

Was the last out of the twelve films made while Chaplin was under contract for the Mutual Film Corporation.

In this film he plays an escaped convict on the run from prison guards.

He falls into favor with a wealthy family after he saves a young lady from drowing but her suitor does everything he can to have Chaplin apprehended by the officials.