Nice and Friendly

It's probably unfair to criticize this film, since it was an improvised home movie Chaplin made with the Mountbattens and presented to them as a wedding gift, never released in theaters. There is really not much to it in terms of a story or humor, just Chaplin and his pals clowning around at Pickfair. They use stop motion as people are rolled out onto the lawn, when it would have been more fun to see Chaplin bonking those guys over the head in the house. I suppose there is an intimacy to getting this little glimpse into him using his Tramp character for a personal gift, but it's not a rewarding experience, and should be considered for hardcore Chaplin fans only.

"Nice and Friendly" is a film by Charlie Chaplin and it was made for Lord and Lady Mountbatten...Queen Elizabeth's second cousin and Viceroy of India. Apparently, he and his new bride were staying at Pickfair and Chaplin made this film with them as well as Jackie Coogan. So, as you watch, understand that it was not intended as a cinematic release.

The silent short begins with Lord and Lady Mountbatten in the garden. Along comes some villains one of them steals the Lady's necklace...as young Coogan screams for help and overacts just a bit. And, to the rescue comes Chaplin as the Little Tramp. Understanding exactly what is happening is a bit difficult, as the film really is more like a fancy home movie than anything else.

So is it any good? Well, I am sure that the Mountbattens, Charlie and the rest of the folks at Pickfair loved the movie and had a great time making it. As far as the general public goes, however, I think this one would have simply baffled them and I can see why it wasn't released at the time. Weird and a film strictly for Chaplin completists. Otherwise, skipping this one would do you no harm. More an odd curio than anything else.

I don't usually write comments on IMDb but I think I'm going to start. I needed to say something for this one because the comments were so negative and I don't know why. I laughed and laughed at this little short. It isn't logical and it doesn't have a straightforward storyline; it's just more of a series of funny images and situations. It's just Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Coogan fooling around one day with some friends. To be completely honest, that sounds very entertaining to me. And it was. Charlie as the tramp is hilarious (as always); he does some funny stuff with a cane, a hammer and his hat. The tramp's entrance into this film made me laugh my butt off, and so did the ending. The only bad thing is that the beginning is a bit slow but as soon as the Tramp makes his entrance the film really picks up.

Vanity projects have never been very good. And how else you call a movie that is made as a wedding present to your friends, who also star in the movie than not a vanity project. 'Nice and Friendly' stand as this little curiosity in Chaplin's career, that is neither funny nor sad. This movie might even rank lover than some of his weakest earlier works for Keystone.

The main plotline is that Lady Mountbatten has a valuable pearl necklace and everybody wants to steal it. She confronts many different criminals. His lover is played by Lord Mountbatten who tries to save her. His friend calls a 'specialist' - Charles Chaplin as the Tramp. Chaplin enters the house and saves the day. Oh yeah, Jackie Coogan also appears, but it is left unclear who his character is supposed to be.

I'm sure that it was a fun day for all the people involved but unfortunately, for the viewers, the movie is not that funny. Incoherent plotting and jokes aren't anything spectacular either. On the other hand, this movie wasn't meant for the wider audiences anyway. Might be a little boring, but this homemade movie is still worth checking out. The plus of the short movies - they aren't very big time wasters.

Like the last title card said: "All of which goes to prove something very profound but we are not quite sure just what it is." - Chaplin must have had this thought about the movie.

Nice and Friendly (1922)

** (out of 4)

There's not any real story to this 11-minute short that was directed by Charles Chaplin. The star made this as a gift to Lord and Lady Mountbatten for their wedding and it's probably doubtful that it was ever meant for public eyes. Considering this thing is basically just a home movie I'm not going to be overly harsh on it. If so then I'd have to say that nothing in it is very funny and this is perhaps the least funniest film Chaplin ever made. With that said, whereas he usually took a year or more to finish a film he probably got this one in the can within a day or two so needless to say it didn't get his full, masterful attention. For the most part it's a fair time killer that shown Chaplin as the Tramp messing around. What exactly he's doing I'm not certain of but it appears he's just fighting some other men for some reason. Jackie Coogan is also on hand as this was shot shortly after the success of THE KID. Film buffs might want to check this out but others should just stay clear.