Between Showers (1914)

Charlie Chaplin - Between Showers (1914) - Colorized Movie

HD Colorized Restoration of the Charlie Chaplin/Keystone Classic

Plot Summary

This early Keystone comedy short features two distinct characters—both played by comedy giants—vying for possession of a young woman's umbrella on a rainy day. **Charlie**, in one of his earliest appearances as the Little Tramp, and a competing suitor, played by the great **Ford Sterling**, engage in a series of chaotic and slapstick attempts to assist a young woman who has dropped her umbrella in a puddle in Westlake Park (now MacArthur Park) in Los Angeles.

The rivalry escalates into a hilarious battle of wits and physical gags, incorporating muddy water, a policeman, and the sheer ineptitude of both suitors. The plot is simple, serving as a framework for Chaplin and Sterling's masterful physical comedy. The ultimate winner of the umbrella (and perhaps the girl) is decided through pure, unadulterated farce, cementing the film's reputation as a showcase of early, manic screen comedy.

Film Details

Director
Henry Lehrman
Writers
Charles Chaplin, Reed Heustis
Release Date
February 28, 1914 (United States)
Country of Origin
United States
Genres
Short, Comedy, Slapstick
Runtime
15 minutes (Approx)
Production Co.
Keystone Film Company

Principal Cast

  • Charles Chaplin: The Tramp (or rival suitor)
  • Ford Sterling: The Rival Suitor / The Man with the Umbrella
  • Chester Conklin: Policeman (Uncredited)
  • Peggy Pearce: The Girl
  • Edward Nolan: Gentleman (Uncredited)

A Deeper Look: Between Showers - A Keystone Krash and the Birth of Chaplin's Tramp

Between Showers (1914) is a fascinating piece of cinematic history, released mere weeks after **Charlie Chaplin's** screen debut. Though directed by the fast-paced **Henry Lehrman**, the film is significant because it features Chaplin's early experimentation with the character that would become the Little Tramp, even before the famous costume was fully standardized. It’s a key example of the frenetic, anarchic style of the **Keystone Film Company**, where plots were secondary to a barrage of physical gags, chases, and "krashing" humor.

The Dual Comedy of Chaplin and Sterling

The core genius of the film lies in the screen duel between Chaplin and the established Keystone star, **Ford Sterling**. Sterling, known for his over-the-top German accent and wildly exaggerated movements, represents the older school of comedy. Chaplin's performance, by contrast, is a glimpse of the revolutionary, nuanced humor he was developing—a more balletic, character-driven style hidden beneath the Keystone chaos. Their physical interactions over the umbrella provide a rare cinematic moment where two masters of early slapstick are pitted directly against one another.

Filmed primarily in the picturesque **MacArthur Park** (then Westlake Park), the setting of a rainy public park adds a layer of dreary atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the frantic action. This is the very soil in which the world's most beloved comedic character—the Tramp—was rapidly evolving from a simple clown into a figure of universal pathos.

The Impact of AI Colorization and HD Enhancement

As a 111-year-old film, *Between Showers* benefits immensely from **HD colorization and restoration**. The original footage often suffers from print wear, inconsistent quality, and the limitations of 1914 cinematography. The use of advanced AI tools like **DeOldify** and **ESRGAN** meticulously enhances the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio film, stabilizing the image and removing decades of deterioration.

The addition of color not only improves clarity but also allows modern viewers to appreciate the subtle details of the performers' costumes and the backdrop of the Los Angeles park, details that were flattened in the black-and-white original. This process bridges the historical gap, making the manic, pioneering humor of the Keystone era accessible and engaging for a 21st-century audience, ensuring that this public domain classic continues to be enjoyed.

Watch Between Showers (1914) - Colorized HD

Enjoy the restored and colorized version of this public domain classic.

Chaplin and Sterling battle it out for an umbrella!