The Knockout

The Knockout (1914) was Charlie Chaplin's seventeenth film for Keystone Studios. Chaplin only has a small role, and Fatty Arbuckle takes up the main role (it is one of only a few films in which Chaplin's Little Tramp character appears in a secondary role; Chaplin doesn't even appear until the second half of the film). It also stars Arbuckle's wife, Minta Durfee, Edgar Kennedy and Keystone owner, Mack Sennett in a minor role as a spectator. The film was directed by Charles Avery, and made in 1914 in America.

For other films called The Knockout, see Knockout (disambiguation) ยง Film and television.
The Knockout
Theatrical poster to The Knockout
Directed byCharles Avery
Produced byMack Sennett
StarringRoscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle
Minta Durfee
Edgar Kennedy
Charles Chaplin
Frank Opperman
Al St. John
Hank Mann
Mack Swain
CinematographyFrank D. Williams
Production
company
Distributed byMutual Film
Release date
  • June 11, 1914 (1914-06-11)
Running time
27 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageSilent film
English (Original titles)

Plot

Two down-and-out hoboes pretend to be pugilists in order to make some money to eat. One of them claims to be Cyclone Flynn, the boxing champion. In the meantime Pug, a good-hearted local strongman, has fought and defeated several mashers who were bothering his girlfriend. The mashers make up with Pug and propose to enter him to fight the fake Cyclone Flynn at a local theater.

Enter the real Cyclone Flynn, who expels the hoboes and takes over the engagement. The fight starts, comically refereed by Chaplin's character. It quickly deteriorates into chaos, after Pug steals a gambler's revolvers and chases the champion from the ring. A long chase sequence involving the boxers, spectators, Pug's girlfriend, and the Keystone Kops follows.

Review

A reviewer from Moving Picture World wrote, "Roscoe Arbuckle, ably supported, makes barrels of fun in this two-reel comedy release. In its early stages, the story has a particularly well connected plot, but things go to smash a little in this line when a big chase is introduced in the second reel. This chase, as well as a comedy prize fight, is unusually funny."

Cast

See also


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