Chaplin's Goliath

Eric Campbell is a footnote in the history of Hollywood as well as slapstick comedies. This is meant as no insult. He only made 11 films with Charlie Chaplin as his large and angry nemesis and died at the height of his fame....and it's not surprising that today practically no one has heard of him. Additionally, while this documentary doesn't mention him, Campbell's role was supplanted by Mack Swain after Campbell's death and most Chaplin lovers today remember this rotund American instead of the Scottish Campbell. This is no insult...just facts. But these facts also make this documentary about Campbell a bit problematic. His career was short and he's been dead 99 years. So what more can you say about the guy?!

While this film is reasonably well made, it is DEFINITELY a niche documentary. People who don't love Chaplin will likely be bored or unimpressed and it's clearly for his fans and fans of slapstick in general. Worth seeing...at least for the initiated. The fact that it's recently come to Netflix is a bit of a surprise, though I am happy as I am a HUGE fan of the silent comedies.