Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914) | The First Feature-Length Comedy

Charlie Chaplin, Marie Dressler, and Mabel Normand in a scene from Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914)

**Tillie's Punctured Romance** is a monumental film from the Keystone era. Released in 1914, it holds the distinction of being the first six-reel, **feature-length comedy** (running 82 minutes). It’s a showcase for the incredible talents of Broadway star **Marie Dressler** as Tillie, with **Charles Chaplin** in a rare turn as a con man, and **Mabel Normand** as his accomplice.

Synopsis: The Con Man, The Heiress, and The Uncle

The story begins in the countryside, where a conniving **"City Slicker"** (Charlie Chaplin) charms the wealthy farm girl **Tillie** (Marie Dressler) into eloping—but only after convincing her to steal her father's money. Once in the city, Charlie runs off with the money and his old girlfriend **Mabel** (Mabel Normand), leaving Tillie to struggle and land in jail after getting drunk.

The plot takes a dramatic turn when Charlie reads a newspaper report claiming that Tillie, now working as a waitress, has inherited her multi-millionaire uncle’s estate after his supposed death. Charlie quickly **dumps Mabel** and convinces Tillie to move into her uncle's lavish villa. Mabel, not to be outdone, disguises herself and arranges to become a housemaid there. The climax arrives when the "dead" uncle unexpectedly returns, discovers the imposters, and calls the police, leading to the film’s famous, lengthy, and chaotic battle royale.

Context: Keystone Goes Big

This film is historically significant for several reasons:

  • It was **Keystone’s first feature film** and a massive box office success, proving that audiences would pay for comedy lasting longer than the standard one or two reels.
  • It is the **only feature film** Charlie Chaplin made for Keystone.
  • It marks the **last time** Charles Chaplin was directed by someone other than himself (excluding a later cameo), as he transitioned fully into writing and directing his own work.
While the film’s narrative focuses heavily on Dressler’s character and theatrical style, Chaplin and Normand still deliver classic, energetic silent film performances, making it a pivotal crossover moment in cinematic history.

Film Details and Restoration

Director:
Mack Sennett
Writers:
Hampton Del Ruth, Craig Hutchinson, Mack Sennett
Starring:
Marie Dressler, Charles Chaplin, Mabel Normand, Mack Swain
Production Company:
Keystone Film Company
Release Date:
November 14, 1914 (USA)
Runtime:
1 hour 22 minutes (82 min)
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 advanced digital techniques to restore and colorize the public domain footage, giving modern viewers a fresh perspective on this classic silent picture.

Watch Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914) - Remastered

Witness the birth of the feature-length comedy!

📧 **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.