Released: 17 Oct 1925 by Warner Bros.
(c) Warner Bros. Pictures 9/12/1925 LP 21819
Available on VHS - see Links sources
Sydney Chaplin looked to repeat his recent screen success as a master of stunts and comic farce portrayal as a man in drag in Charley's Aunt. Alice Calhoun (pictured above with Chaplin), Helene Costello, David Butler, Kathleen Calhoun and Henry Garrows also co-star. The plot revolves around erroneous assumptions and mistaken identity. The stunts are amazing and certainly on par with anything by Chaplin's younger brother, Charlie, or their peers, Keaton and Lloyd. This film was based on the novel The Man on the Box by Harold MacGrath (Indianapolis, 1904) and his play of the same name (New York, 1905). Screen writer for this movie was Charles A. Logue and the director of photography was Nick Barrows. Director Charles Reisner also appears as a character in this film (see below).
Movie Review from All Movie Guide:
Sydney Chaplin - older brother of Charles Chaplin - specialized in films in which his character wound up dressing in drag at some point during the picture. This comedy...was released not long after Chaplin appeared in the very successful Charley's Aunt. Bob Warburton (Chaplin) is financing an invention by Lampton (Theodore Lorch), which both the government and foreign powers are anxious to get. But Lampton becomes convinced that Warburton is having an affair with his wife (Kathleen Calhoun). Warburton is forced to flee and poses as a groom for Betty Annesly (Alice Calhoun). To keep his eye on the foreign emissaries, he disguises himself as a French maid. Eventually Warburton is able to save the plans for the invention, unmask the spies (one of whom is played by the film's director, Charles "Chuck" Reisner) and, of course, win Betty's heart. - Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
Bibliographic Sources:
Film Daily 11 Oct 1925
New York Times 28 Sep 1925 p. 4
Variety 30 Sep 1925 p. 42
Almost looks like Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie, doesn't he?
Sydney Chaplin and director Chuck Reisner (wearing hat) in a scene from The Man on the Box.
Movie Credits