Chaplin wants in at a local movie studio, which is actually Mack Sennett's Keystone studio. The irony is Chaplin is playing a film "johnnie", someone who wants in the movies no matter what. When Chaplin finally does matter to to get in, he causes chaos of course,interfering on the movie set and shooting the place up. There are lots of wild scenes in this one, including what looks to be an actual fire. Chaplin has a few neat gags like lighting his cigarette with a pistol and wringing his ears, only to see the water come out his mouth. Several silent stalwarts have supporting roles in this one, like Mabel Normand and Fatty Arbuckle. It was a sign, just as in the short itself, that Chaplin was indeed arriving as a star. ** of 4 stars.
Review of A Film Johnnie
