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21. The Property Man (1914)
Keystone 1914
![Film still for The Property Man](../../../images/420/property-man.jpg)
The Property Man was restored at the bfi National Film and Television Archive. Read the Restoration Report.
Synopsis
Charlie is a bone-idle prop man in a vaudeville theatre who makes his aged colleague do all the heavy lifting. He causes chaos with the various acts during the performance, including soaking stage and audience alike with a hose - the oldest film gag in the world, followed by another as he easily picks up the weight-lifter's dumbbells.
chaplin_credits
- Director/Scenario:
- Charles Chaplin
- Cast:
- Charles Chaplin (The Property Man)
- Fritz Schade (Singer)
- Phyllis Allen (Ham Lena Fat)
- Charles Bennett (Ham Lena's husband)
- Josef Swickard (Old Stagehand)
- Jess Dandy (Garlico)
- Mack Sennett (Man in Audience/Spectator)
- Frank Opperman (Man in Audience)
- George 'Slim' Summerville (Man in Audience)
- Joe Bordeaux (Old Actor)
- Harry McCoy (Drunk in Front Row)
- Cecile Arnold (?) (Goo Goo Sister)
- Vivian Edwards (Goo Goo Sister)
- Alice Davenport (Actress)
- Chester Conklin (Spectator)
- Norma Nichols (?) (Vaudeville Artist)
- Gene Marsh (?)(Garlico's Assistant)
- Dixie Chene (?) (Woman in Audience)
- Lee Morris (?) (Man in Audience)
- Shooting days:
- June 25 - July11
- Negative sent from LA:
- July 18
- Received in New York:
- July 25
- Released:
- August 1 1914
- Length:
- 1858ft
- Other titles:
- Getting His Goat, Props, Charlie on the Boards, Props, The Roustabout, Vamping Venus.