Kivääri olalle vie! (Short 1918)

Kivääri olalle vie! (Short 1918). 36m | S

“The big names in cinema tried to do their part for the war effort, and Charlie Chaplin was no exception. This patriotic and propagandist picture, u0026quot;Shoulder Armsu0026quot;, is part of his contribution, although the war was nearly over by the time of its release. The Tramp goes to the front, humorously accomplishes acts of heroism and kicks the Kaiser in the bum. Itu0026#39;s a very funny film, although I donu0026#39;t think it nearly one of his best. Itu0026#39;s with u0026quot;A Dogu0026#39;s Lifeu0026quot; as his better output for First National before he made his early masterpiece u0026quot;The Kidu0026quot;. They were his first three-reelers, which contain sustained, more elaborate gags than he could usually orchestrate in his two-reel shorts at Mutual.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt can be difficult to balance a pro-war message with slapstick antics and scenes of burlesque in battle, but one wouldnu0026#39;t think so watching u0026quot;Shoulder Armsu0026quot;. Itu0026#39;s also preferable in many respects to a u0026quot;more seriousu0026quot;, dramatic work with a similar message, such as Griffithu0026#39;s u0026quot;Hearts of the Worldu0026quot;. Chaplin had become a true virtuoso of screen comedy by this time; he makes it look effortless. He knew very well by then that a film with fewer gags–with more elaboration, refinement and careful timing–could be better than any knockabout, Keystone-type farce with a dozen pratfalls a minute. The sequence where Chaplin is disguised as a tree is a pertinent example. Even with wars raging, Chaplin can lift the spirits of millions.”