Dough and Dynamite (1914) | Chaos in the Bakery

Charlie Chaplin and Chester Conklin working as frantic bakers in Dough and Dynamite (1914)

**Dough and Dynamite (1914)** is a hilarious short film, directed by and starring **Charles Chaplin** alongside frequent collaborator **Chester Conklin**. The film is a masterful piece of sustained physical comedy set in a bakery during a volatile labor strike.

Synopsis: Scabs, Dough, and Danger

The Tramp (Chaplin) and a fellow waiter (**Chester Conklin**) are forced to take on the roles of bakers in a restaurant when the usual staff goes on a **labor strike**. This leads to immediate and predictable slapstick chaos as the two unskilled workers struggle to manage the dough and the ovens, all while flirting with the wives of the restaurant owners and dodging the angry strikers outside.

The plot escalates when the striking workers manage to sneak a stick of **dynamite** inside a loaf of bread as a means of sabotage. This explosive "loaf" mistakenly gets shuffled around the bakery, eventually landing in the oven. The ensuing massive explosion brings the entire film to a destructive, yet comedic, climax.

Context: The Art of Anarchy

This short highlights Chaplin's evolving directorial style, moving beyond simple chases to integrate slapstick into a specific narrative setting—the chaotic environment of the bakery. The film is a non-stop barrage of physical gags, including flour fights, dough-slinging, and multiple characters getting hit, kicked, and tripped. It's considered one of his more successful and elaborate Keystone comedies, offering a perfect blend of the Tramp’s cheeky charm and pure anarchy. The long runtime (around 28 minutes) qualifies it as a three-reeler or featurette for the time.

Film Details and Restoration

Director & Co-Writer:
Charles Chaplin
Co-Writer:
Mack Sennett
Starring:
Charles Chaplin, Chester Conklin, Fritz Schade, Norma Nichols, Phyllis Allen
Production Company:
Keystone Film Company
Release Date:
October 26, 1914 (United States)
Runtime:
28 minutes (approx. 1694 seconds)
Color/Sound:
Black and White / Silent (Restored & Colorized Version)
License:
PUBLIC DOMAIN MARK / “No Known Copyright”

This version of the film has been enhanced using digital techniques like DeOldify and EDVR to improve the visual quality and bring a fresh, colorized look to this explosive public domain short.

Watch Dough and Dynamite (1914) - Restored and Colorized

Witness the spectacular explosion in the bakery!

📧 **Copyright Disclaimer:** This film is believed to be in the **public domain** and has been restored for historical and educational purposes. If you have any concerns regarding the copyright status, please contact the restorer directly at **inestorate@gmail.com**. We are committed to intellectual property rights and will promptly address any claims.