Oh! Shoot

Most of what exists of this Bobby Dunn short was preserved on the "American Slapstick 2" DVD set. Dunn didn't really look like Chaplin but I guess he was close enough for some of the public who didn't pay attention. Anyway, in this one, he accidentally has a mule following him. Also, a couple of bad guys are chasing him. And, of course, there's a leading lady. What I saw was funny enough but the print I watched was blurry almost the whole time. Still, I recommend Oh! Shoot.

This is an incomplete film from the American Slapstick DVD set (volume 2) with only a portion of the original film remaining. Unfortunately, in addition to missing part of the film, what's left is often very, very blurry and only a silent film nut like myself would bother watching a film in this condition.

According to the introduction, Bobby Dunn was a "Chaplin imitator", though at least from this clip he didn't appear to be so. He did not wear the usual Chaplin costume, do the Chaplin walk or even act that much like Chaplin. Perhaps he really takes on the Little Tramp persona in other films--this one is just a likable comedy clip.

Bobby is at an auction for a mule and when the mule keeps following him, he's worried the folks will think he stole it and string him up for theft. But, no matter how hard he tries, this little donkey (it doesn't really look like a mule) follows him. It's cute to see this but not especially great. It's really a shame so much of the original is missing.