A Film Jonnie (1914) - Charlie Chaplin Old Colorized Movie

The Movie Nut Invades Keystone Studios

**A Film Johnnie** (also known as **Charlie at the Studio** or **Movie Nut**) is a fascinating and early **Charles Chaplin** short, released on March 2, 1914. Directed by **George Nichols**, this film is a hilarious piece of meta-comedy, taking place both in a movie theatre and, famously, on the actual set of the **Keystone Film Company** studio. Chaplin co-wrote the film, lending an authentic, albeit chaotic, glimpse into the early Hollywood production environment.

The plot follows Charlie (Chaplin's Tramp persona), who is so obsessed with the movies—a true "**Film Johnnie**"—that he falls head over heels for a girl he sees on screen. Determined to find her, he tracks his way to the Keystone studio lot. His misguided attempts to intervene in what he believes are real-life events (but are actually scenes being filmed) lead to typical **slapstick** mayhem.

Studio Mayhem and Star Power

The film is a virtual parade of Keystone's biggest names. After disrupting a shoot, Charlie causes a commotion that involves fellow stars like **Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle**, **Mabel Normand**, and **Ford Sterling**. The climax involves Charlie accidentally causing a **fire** on the set while interfering in a dramatic scene. The resulting pandemonium is pure Keystone, featuring the use of a firehose that douses everyone, culminating in the female lead shoving Charlie away in disgust.

At a mere **11 minutes and 21 seconds** runtime, this film packs a lot of action and offers a rare, comedic peek at the mechanics of early filmmaking. It's an essential watch for any silent film fan, as it captures the frenetic, anarchic spirit that defined the **Keystone** era and showcases Chaplin's rapidly developing talent for comedic disruption.

Restoration and Colorization

This restored version of *A Film Johnnie* has been digitally enhanced, including **AI Colorization** using tools like **DeOldify** and **ESRGAN**. This process breathes new life into the 1914 **Silent Film**, allowing viewers to appreciate the costume and set details in a way that the original **Black and White** format did not permit, all while maintaining the film's classic **1.33:1 aspect ratio**.