Review of Between Showers

Chaplin's fourth film is also historic in that it demonstrates inklings of the tramp we would come to identify with in later films. The plot is simple like most them from this era. A man steals an umbrella from a policeman, attempts to help a lady across the rain-filled street and then is usurped by Chaplin in vying for both the umbrella and the lady. Chaplin eventually settles for the umbrella and battling with the man in typical exaggerated silent fashion. The film is notable for Chaplin turning from a heel into more of a lovable troublemaker, without the empathy and sentimentality we would find in later years. The swinging of the umbrella mirrors how Chaplin swings his cane in so many other films to come. Oddly enough, his cane is not present in this slight but more typical comedy from Chaplin. ** of 4 stars.