Gussle's Backward Way

In 1914, Charlie Chaplin began his film career and was almost instantly a big star with Keystone Pictures. So, it's not at all surprising that the studio would also try out Charlie's half-brother, Syd, as he, too, had a long career on stage as a comic. Of the almost three dozen films he made, many were as the character 'Reggie Gussle'...the term 'gussle', which means an idiot. This character wasn't much like Charlie's Little Tramp, though his outfits and getup were also pretty outrageous. Gussle had a funny mustache, an ill-fitting jacket, a dopey hat and slicked back hair...and looked a lot like Harold Lloyd's later character, Lonesome Luke. But Gussle never really caught on with theater audiences and Syd later tried other film roles after making about ten of these films.

So what happens in "Gussle's Backward Way"? Well, I've got to tell you....I have no idea. There really isn't much in the way of plot. You see Reggie ride into a small town on a mule and act boorishly towards a woman (she played his wife in some of the Gussle films...but not, apparently, here). Other than mindless slapstick, there just isn't any sort of story. Because of this, the film stinks.

By the way, originally this was to be a longer film and was instead split into two films..."Gussle's Backward Way" and "Gussle Tied to Trouble".

A number featuring Syd Chaplin in his familiar part. The scenes are taken in and about a mountain inn and contain much that is very funny. Some of the incidents border on the risque, but are clever enough to get by without offense. A good low comedy number. - The Moving Picture World, May 22, 1915