Max Linder does ... well, anyway, he was six years older than Chaplin, and Chaplin did give him credit for influencing some of Chaplin's work, which is evident in some scenes in this movie.
But Charlie was making movies in Hollywood as early as 1914, Keaton as early as 1917, and "Seven Years" was made in 1921.
Granted, Linder made other movies as early as 1905, the year America saw "The Great Train Robbery."
This movie, "Seven Years Bad Luck," is a joy. Even after nearly a hundred years, it is still funny, still clever, still creative.
It covers a lot of ground, from a servant-staffed mansion to a railroad station, with lots of action, and, more important, lots of laughs.
The mirror scene is, literally, classic -- incredibly well done, in fact so well done it was copied by the Marx Brothers and by Lucille Ball in a scene with Harpo on her "I Love Lucy" series.
That scene alone makes this movie worth watching.
Let me add this: This movie is fun, but there is an element of historicity that also makes this worth watching.
Linder was a model for other film comics; he was a creator; he was inventive.
That he is not better known speaks badly of motion pictures and their heritage.
But Charlie was making movies in Hollywood as early as 1914, Keaton as early as 1917, and "Seven Years" was made in 1921.
Granted, Linder made other movies as early as 1905, the year America saw "The Great Train Robbery."
This movie, "Seven Years Bad Luck," is a joy. Even after nearly a hundred years, it is still funny, still clever, still creative.
It covers a lot of ground, from a servant-staffed mansion to a railroad station, with lots of action, and, more important, lots of laughs.
The mirror scene is, literally, classic -- incredibly well done, in fact so well done it was copied by the Marx Brothers and by Lucille Ball in a scene with Harpo on her "I Love Lucy" series.
That scene alone makes this movie worth watching.
Let me add this: This movie is fun, but there is an element of historicity that also makes this worth watching.
Linder was a model for other film comics; he was a creator; he was inventive.
That he is not better known speaks badly of motion pictures and their heritage.