The Adventurer (1917) - Charlie Chaplin Old Colorized Movie

From Prison Escape to High Society: An Analysis of The Adventurer (1917)

Released on October 22, 1917, **The Adventurer** marks the twelfth and final short film Charlie Chaplin made under his contract with the **Mutual Film Corporation**. This two-reel short is widely regarded by critics and historians as one of the most polished and successful comedies of his Mutual era. By this time, Chaplin had moved far beyond the frantic, raw slapstick of his Keystone years (like *Laughing Gas* or *His New Profession*). *The Adventurer* showcases the **Little Tramp** at his most charming, using his wits, luck, and balletic physical comedy to survive a treacherous world.

The film opens with a thrilling sequence: **Charlie, an escaped convict**, dodging guards and police along a rugged, rocky coastline. This opening immediately establishes a dynamic sense of peril and adventure, blending humor with genuine tension. Charlie’s escape involves a daring leap from a cliff, a frantic swim, and the ingenious theft of a bather’s striped outfit—the perfect civilian disguise. This high-octane beginning sets the stage for the film’s central conceit: the Tramp's forced infiltration into high society.

The Tramp’s luck changes completely when he notices a beautiful young woman, **Edna** (played by his long-time leading lady, **Edna Purviance**), and her mother struggling in the water. True to his evolving character, the Tramp performs a heroic rescue. This act catapults him from the status of an escaped convict to a celebrated hero, earning him a coveted invitation to a lavish society party at Edna’s wealthy home. The film’s tension is wonderfully complicated by the discovery that Edna’s father is none other than the **Judge** who originally sentenced Charlie to prison.

The Art of Comic Bluster and High Society Farce

The bulk of *The Adventurer* takes place during the society gala, where the Tramp, despite his borrowed clothes and questionable manners, attempts to bluff his way through the event. Chaplin masterfully uses the rigid, formal setting of high society for maximum comedic effect. His clumsy attempts to dance, his awkward interactions with snobbish guests, and his habitual misuse of silverware create a hilarious juxtaposition between the Tramp’s earthy, improvisational nature and the decorum expected of him.

The suspense is maintained by the presence of a rival suitor or potential antagonist, often referred to in intertitles or casts as **Big Eric**, who eventually recognizes Charlie from a newspaper headline detailing his escape. This discovery triggers the famous, sprawling **mansion chase sequence**. The pursuit, which involves Charlie sliding down banisters, hiding behind curtains, and narrowly escaping capture by scrambling across the outside of the balcony, is a perfectly choreographed piece of slapstick. This climactic chase is celebrated for its technical brilliance and the sheer speed and agility of Chaplin’s performance.

The Legacy of Chaplin's Mutual Films

*The Adventurer* is a showcase of the creative freedom and financial stability Chaplin enjoyed during his Mutual contract. This period (1916–1917) is where he developed the definitive persona of the Tramp, moving away from simple cruelty and toward the blend of comedy, romance, and pathos that made him a global icon. He spent more time on production, leading to better cinematography, editing, and more cohesive narratives. The film’s blend of outdoor action, romance with **Edna Purviance**, and sophisticated indoor farce exemplifies the quality of his final Mutual output before he moved to First National.

The Value of Colorization and Restoration

This presented version of the film has been meticulously **AI colorized and enhanced**, using modern tools like **DeOldify** and **ESRGAN**. The colorization breathes new life into the striking contrasts of the original print—the blue of the ocean, the rich tones of the high-society costumes, and the stark white of the judge’s tuxedo. Digital restoration, performed by contributors like Ghulam Muhiuddin, Jameel Akhtar, and Nabi Ahmad, ensures that the historical footage is preserved in the highest possible quality. Watching this **public domain gem** in colorized HD allows contemporary audiences to appreciate the visual spectacle and dynamic environment of the 1917 comedy classic with unprecedented clarity.

The final, brilliant twist—where Charlie, moments after being captured, distracts the guard with Edna to make one last sly escape—is a fitting conclusion for the "Adventurer." It confirms that the Tramp is, at his heart, an incorrigible and resourceful rogue, destined to keep wandering and escaping, always ready for his next great adventure.