The Immigrant with Charlie Chaplin and The Boat with Buster Keaton

About the show

An exciting nautical double bill featuring an early Chaplin (1917). The scene in which Chaplin's character kicks an immigration officer was cited later as evidence of his anti-Americanism when he was forced to leave the United States in 1952 - plenty there relevant to today. While this film is very funny, shots of the Statue of Liberty while immigrants are herded like cattle possibly how self-aware the new medium of film was becoming.

'The Boat' is more escapism. It's a 1921 American two-reel silent comedy film written and directed by, and starring Buster Keaton. Contemporary reviews consider it one of his best shorts.

Live piano accompaniment makes a huge difference to these films. As Paul Merton has remarked: 'if you have never seen silent comedy on a big screen with a big audience and great live music you will be amazed'