Review by nukisepp

Some of Chaplin's final movies for The Keystone got quite good - there was a coherent narrative, there was less unnecessary slapstick violence and more subtle jokes and even sweetness. 'His Prehistoric Past' is kind of a letdown. The movie was quite interesting because of the different set-up but not very memorable in any other way.

Charles Chaplin made 35 short movies (34 are available today, 'Her Friend the Bandit' is still lost) and one feature film for The Keystone Studios. What a prolific start! It is clear that the quality of The Keystone comedies suffered thanks to the quantity. Chaplin was just learning the craft of filmmaking and he didn't have much creative freedom. The Keystone Studios were concentrating more on rough and farcical slapstick, which quite didn't suit Chaplin. This is clear with his later movies that became more focused on the story than just physical gags.

'His Prehistoric Past' along with other films Chaplin made for the Keystone, is still mostly entertaining. Although most of the Keystone movies are not very memorable or special, they are worth checking out just for the curiosity to see the first steps of the great comedian.