Charlie and Mabel in the Park

[pennymachines]

So, is the assumption these were made by Bolland?

I think the familiar Bolland 'Working Model' casting on Smoky Joe points that way.

[daveslot]

Not sure about that, these castings have been reproduced and could have been recently slapped on.

[pennymachines]

True - it assumes the Rye museum model is kosher, but I don't recall seeing it there when I visited some years ago.

[slotalot]

There are 2 Chaplin related models at Rye, The tramps dream & Charlie & Mable in the park.
The "Mable" Films that Chaplin made were some of his first films dating around 1914, so I would think that the machines were made much later and looking back at Chaplin's career??
Sorry about the quality of the photos, the lighting at Rye was not that good..

[john t peterson]

I am continually amazed at the breadth of knowledge and the willingness to share such by the Pennymachines community. Hear, hear to all!

J Peterson
Tramping in the American park

[moonriver]

Well done for finding the pics! This Rye model looks to be in better condition ( or maybe refurbished more recently) as the scene is constructed really well in this one, the figure obviously meant to be Chaplin. I like the way the light is used to best effect with the foliage on the glass . I'm with Stuart that these are much later models, likely 50's The landscape and foliage reminds me of The Midnight Smugglers which is considered to be a Bollands

[pennymachines]

I'm with Stuart that these are much later models, likely '50s

That does seem likely now we know there are at least two Charlie & Mabels, plus at least one other sister model.

[stevemaxted]

Yes, Smokey Joe is in the Rye Heritage Centre, but so is 'Charlie and Mabel in the Park'. This has been there a lot longer than Smokey Joe. Charlie does raise her skirt with his cane, and she turns to slap him. That is all. It is charming though.
The Heritage Centre, at Rye is my old penny arcade

[slotalot]

Yes, Smokey Joe is in the Rye Heritage Centre, but so is 'Charlie and Mabel in the Park'. This has been there a lot longer than Smokey Joe. Charlie does raise her skirt with his cane, and she turns to slap him. That is all. It is charming though.
The Heritage Centre, at Rye is my old penny arcade

Welcome to the forum Steve
You have a good collection of machines at Rye, I was down there in January 2013 and very much enjoyed playing them. Glad to have you on board..

[stevemaxted]

Thanks, nice to be on board the forum, very interesting, did not know my machines were being discussed.
To clear up a point in this discussion, I added the 'Working Model' metal plate to Smokey Joe, so these models never had one

[stevemaxted]

Thanks to Site Admin for the info about the Chaplin and Mabel, 1914 film, I never knew that, and will add the info to the machine.

[gameswat]

This machine is up for sale: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1930s-Charlie-C ... 3cf1972c4f

[stevemaxted]

Amazed there is one in the USA. There are at least 3 made then

[gameswat]

Oops, didn't make it clear enough, the machine for sale on eBay is the same one as pictured at the start of this thread.

[badpenny]

Strewth in 4 short hours the world has lost one of the few rare examples of this machine.

[stevemaxted]

Ehat explains it then. I should have noticed. At least it is still very rare.

[wembleylion]

However, the theme, featuring Charlie Chaplin and Mabel Normand in the park, harks back to the first scene from a silent film they made under Mack Sennett in 1914, called Mabel's Married Life.

Mr PM suggests that the theme comes from Mable's Married Life but I think the more likely candidate is Getting Acquainted (1914) also with Mabel Normand and Mack Swain. This is Charlie making up to a girl in a park and has the scene where Charlie's stick lifts the girls dress (3min 50secs), which appears to be the theme in the working model; arm goes around girl, stick lifts skirt and Charlie gets a smack.



John

[slotalot]

I think you are correct saying it is based on the film "Getting Acquainted" - the dress lifting is a quite well known scene from the film, The name Kennington Park that was used for the working model would have been taken from the area where Chaplin spent the first few years of his life..

[stevemaxted]

Once again, great information as to the film scene. Now I truly can add a card with that info to my 'Charlie and Mabel'.
Thanks a lot, Steve

[stevemaxted]

And to find the actual film clip of the skirt lifting is brilliant, thanks To Wembley Lion.