Was this the first pathos comedy?
Well, was it, or was it just that it was the first good one. Or was it niether, I know pathos comedy has been done for centuries but was this the first time it had been done on screen?
shareChaplin's Essanay short 'The Tramp' was one of his earliest attempts at trying to infuse pathos into his comedies, but that is a rather crude film overall and the knockabout--and rather sadistic--farce works against any poignancy the tramp not getting the girl might have had. Another of his Essanay films, 'Police,' seems to hint at a tramp worthy of pity, in addition to some social commentary.
At Mutual is when the tramp became more of the beloved pathetic hero that Chaplin's been endeared for. 'The Vagabond' is the most pathos-filled film Chaplin made before 'The Kid.' As well, 'Easy Street' and 'The Immigrant' have their moments.
One of Chaplin's First National pictures, 'Sunnyside,' is a particularly interesting attempt at pathos. And, it was largely a failure, but was perhaps instrumental in Chaplin developing pathos in his work.
"The cinéma is an invention without a future," said Louis Lumière.share
Thanks, I enjoyed reading that, was Chaplin the first to explore comedy pathos on screen or were there others trying it out as well?
shareYou're welcome.
Chaplin probably was the first to really add pathos to comedy, although one can never be too sure when crediting the first of anything to anyone. A light dramatic framework was common for many silent comedies, but not quite in the way they were for Chaplin, and as so much else, he was innovative in this respect.
"The cinéma is an invention without a future," said Louis Lumière.share
[deleted]