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Charles Chaplin in his second appearance in film, which is also the debut of his famous character the Tramp. One can easily guess that the aforementioned character was not as defined in attitude yet at that time, since in this he is portrayed as a more irritant "intruder" who constantly interrupts the filming of a kids car race, much to the anger of the cameraman/director (played by Henry Lehrman, obviously).

While many may find the film a bit repetitive or a one-joke situation stretched to 6 minutes or more, Charles shows that he can carry a film, giving his best on his performance.

Regarding the technical aspects, I found it curious how Lehrman used the cameras to first show the interrupted race from the point of view of a main camera, then using another one to show the intrusive tramp who gets in the middle of the "main filming".

For any Chaplin enthusiast, this is a must see.

Film debut of legend of the seventh art Charles Chaplin, which is also his first leading role. These are more than enough reasons to take a look at this entertaining picture.

Something curious about the film is that undoubtedly, one can see how talented Chaplin was in regard of the execution of gesticular and slapstick comedy. For a debut, he really has great moments, especially in the fight scenes with the rival reporter, played by director Henry Lehrman. There are also some funny screwball and hilarious chase scenes.

Despite several sites listing the film with the "Charlot" name in the alternate title (which is how many other languages call his famous "Tramp"), here the lead character has little connection with the adorable "vagabond" we would later meet, know and love. Even his appearance is hardly the same. In this case, Chaplin plays a sleazy con artist who does not hesitate to use his charm, wits and seduction for his own benefit, even at the expense of more honest and innocent people, which I found to be an interesting touch.

It is not among his best (because that would come later), and not all the comedy is solid here, but at least it is a great chance to see a bit of the early talent of this celebrated artist.

The "conceptual mother" of every character in animation after it. This is how I define this extravagant creation of Winsor McCay, another great animator from the beginnings of cinema.

Originally used as a vaudeville act, the short in fact, is quite enjoyable that way, with a Winsor acting as a circus tamer and giving orders to his creature to do tricks (all with on-screen cards). The funny thing is, obviously, that it is not a lion or a bear, or anything like that, but instead the titular female sauropod, which as indicated by the tag-lines "(she) lived millions of years before man inhabited this earth". In other words, an already extinct animal, now alive thanks to the hands of McCay. Gertie is probably the first animated character with a distinctive personality: childish, playful, a kind of a "rebel". And she immediately wins over the audience. Several animated characters that would come after would adapt many of these characteristics; in this case, as it is the first example in this area, it gives the short film a fitting sense of innocence.

What follows is a routine of tricks, with great moments such as the interactions with the mammoth (poor "Jumbo"!), or the exaggerated but funny "drink" Gertie enjoys. At the visual level, there is a fluid mobility of both Gertie and the other creatures that appear, even those with a few seconds on-screen, but other details like the the earth and rocks that tremble as the giant animal walks through are well put and carefully added.

The prologue and epilogue with McCay and other animators like George McManus is also entertaining, but the former can feel stretched a little long before the main act.

A true animated classic, as awesome and still amusing after all these years.