Enjoy the Show! _______________________ I Believe all media should be enjoyed ______________________ So here is a classic! _______________________ Charlot et Mabel aux Courses (originally titled Kid Auto Races at Venice, 1914) Genre: Silent Short Comedy Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand Director: Henry Lehrman Production Company: Keystone Studios Runtime: Approximately 6 minutes Format: Silent Film with French intertitles (depending on version) Summary: Charlot et Mabel aux Courses is the French title for Kid Auto Races at Venice, historically important because it features the very first public appearance of Chaplin’s "Little Tramp" character — the baggy pants, bowler hat, and toothbrush mustache that became iconic worldwide. The short takes place at a real children's soapbox derby race in Venice, California. Chaplin’s Tramp continually disrupts a film crew that’s trying to record the race. He muggingly steps in front of the camera, poses, and comically interferes with the filming, annoying both the cameraman and director (played by Henry Lehrman). Mabel Normand has a minor role in the crowd, though her presence is not as central in the original as the French title suggests. Key Features: First appearance of Chaplin’s fully formed Little Tramp. Meta-humor: Chaplin is aware of the camera filming him, breaking the "fourth wall" decades before it was common. Improvised feel: Filmed during a live event with real spectators in the background. Short runtime: Quick, simple premise centered around repeated gags. Historical Context: Filmed on January 10–11, 1914, this was Chaplin’s second film made but the first released where he wears the Tramp costume. This short was crucial for launching Chaplin’s global career. The French title emphasizes Mabel Normand’s involvement, as she was already a major star in France, and re-edits sometimes gave her more prominence. Public Domain Status: This film is fully in the public domain, widely available in silent film collections, especially those focusing on early Chaplin or Keystone Studios works. --- Important Note: Some French and European re-edits combine scenes from Kid Auto Races at Venice and Mabel's Strange Predicament (another early Chaplin-Mabel short) when distributing under names like Charlot et Mabel aux Courses, so minor differences between prints may occur. _______________________ Thank you for watching — feel free to like, comment, and subscribe for more classic movies and other content that might be of interest. _______________________ #PublicDomain #PublicDomainMovies #ClassicMovies #FreeMovies #VintageMovies #RetroCinema #OldMovies #FullMovie #MovieNight #FreeToWatch #ClassicCinema #MovieLovers #CinemaHistory #FilmHistory #TimelessMovies #MustWatch #OldSchoolCinema #CultClassic #HiddenGems #NowPlaying #GoldenAgeOfCinema #MoviesOnline #WatchFree #ClassicHollywood #RetroMovies #PublicDomainFilm #FreeFilm #ClassicEntertainment #WatchNow #StreamingFree #MovieArchive #HistoricCinema #LegendaryMovies #FilmBuff #MovieBuff #IndependentCinema #ClassicAdventure #VintageFilm #OldSchoolMovies #ReliveTheClassics #PublicDomainCinema #TimelessClassics #CinematicTreasures #GoldenOldies #MovieClassics #RetroFilm #ClassicScreen #OldMovieNight #CinemaLovers