This was Chaplin's last film for First National and as per usual it has an "escape-from-prison" theme (see The Adventurer, his last film for Mutual, and Police, his last film for Essanay.)
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"May be disguised. 30 to 35 years of age. About five feet four inches in height.1 Weight about 125 pounds. Pale face. Black bushy hair sometimes parted in the middle. Small black mustache. Blue eyes. Small hands, large feet. Extremely nervous. Walks with feet turned out."
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1In real life, Chaplin was closer to 5' 6 1/2." He occasionally underestimated his height as a means of reinforcing his image as “The Little Fellow."
Charlie (aka "Lefty Lombard" aka "Slippery Elm") grabs the bars at the train station as if they were a cell. There is a similar joke in The Adventurer where convict Charlie wakes up in a strange bed with bars on the headboard and wearing someone else's striped pajamas.
Syd Chaplin plays two roles in the film including one of the "elopers."
"Convict Makes Daring Escape"
After Charlie passes around the collection boxes, he gives a thankful look to one side of the room and an accusatory look to the other side who apparently didn’t give as much.
"The sermon--the sermon!"
"Pass the Dutchie on the left hand side"
The brat shoves a piece of flypaper into his father's face.
In an interview years later, "Dinky" Dean Riesner said the fly paper was real.
Syd describes his missing hat to Charlie.
That moment when you realize your missing hat is part of the pudding.
Charlie transforms himself into a riverboat gambler right in front of the camera.
"Mexico--a new life--peace at last"
(Note how there is no Rio Grande River separating the U.S. and Mexico)
_________________________________________________________________________________(Note how there is no Rio Grande River separating the U.S. and Mexico)
1In real life, Chaplin was closer to 5' 6 1/2." He occasionally underestimated his height as a means of reinforcing his image as “The Little Fellow."